FEHB Open Season Opens November 8

It’s Open Season — the time of year when employees can sign up for benefit programs, change enrollments, or cancel their participation.

Open Season for three benefits programs — Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) — begins Monday, November 8.

FEHB and FEDVIP plans have changed significantly. For example, the 2010 Affordable Care Act changed FEHB eligibility requirements allowing children up to age 26 as eligible dependents for Self and Family coverage. Employees are asked to note that even if they keep the same FEHB plans and coverage automatically continues, their premiums may change. It’s also recommended that employees check their insurance coverage for details that could save them money. For example, if you’re enrolled in a family plan but no one else is covered by that plan, changing to the “Self Only” option will reduce your premiums.

Employees with FEHB plans that no longer will be offered must select a new plan or their health insurance coverage will end. Affected employees will receive a letter from the plan and from the Postal Service. Employees whose plan’s service area is changing also will be notified.

FSA — which can save money on taxes for eligible out-of-pocket health care and dependent care expenses — also has changed. The Health Care FSA has added restrictions on coverage for over-the-counter drugs and medicines. Also, children who are not dependents on your taxes may now be covered under your Health Care FSA until December 31 of the year before they turn age 27. Employees who want an FSA for 2011 need to re-enroll — FSA coverage does not continue from year to year. FSA brochures with more details now are being mailed to all employees.

You can make FEHB and FSA selections on PostalEASE. For FEDVIP elections, go to http://www.benefeds.com/.

Open Season for the Annual Leave Exchange (ALE) begins Monday, November 15. Employees eligible to make an ALE election will receive a letter.

FEHB, FSA and FEDVIP booklets will be arriving in the mail. Look for the information and save it when it arrives. Additional Open Season information is in today’s edition of the Postal Bulletin.

You also can go to the “My HR” section on LiteBlue for more details.

You will need your Employee Identification Number (EIN) and USPS Personal Identification Number (PIN) to enter PostalEASE or LiteBlue.

Meet Your NALC/USPS Joint Task Force Team

Meet South Florida’s NALC/USPS Joint Task Force Team. Front Row (L to R): Joan Collins, Ros Bell-Mosley, Mel Roxroth, Cal Collins. Back Row (L to R): Ed Coppola, Eddrest Young Carlos Rodon, Jalaine Lee, and Barbara Crowley. Photo Credit: Pat Nolan

Meet South Florida’s NALC/USPS Joint Task Force Team. Members will be coming to your Post Office to bring a new level of safety awareness to all employees. They’ll be observing office and street performance, identifying and correcting safety issues, and seeking your input to ensure a safe workplace for all employees.

The South Florida District is the first in the Southeast Area to participate in this national pilot program. The program is an avenue to report unsafe acts and practices. There will be no disciplinary action for safety infractions.

“Our employees are our most valuable resource,” said Pompano Beach Postmaster/USPS Co-Chair Ed Coppola. “We want to increase safety awareness throughout the district to ensure the safe return of our employees to their families every day.”

Team members include Ros Bell-Mosley, Postmaster, Hallandale; Letter Carrier/Shop Steward (NALC Branch 1071) Cal Collins, North Miami Branch, Miami; Letter Carrier/Shop Steward (NALC Branch 2550) Joan Collins, Southside Station, Fort Lauderdale; Ed Coppola, Postmaster, Pompano Beach; Barbara Crowley, Acting Manager, Safety and Health, South Florida District; Jalaine Lee, Postmaster, Palm City; Carlos Rodon, Officer-In-Charge, Delray Beach; Letter Carrier/Shop Steward (NALC Branch 1690) Mel Roxroth, Palms West Annex, West Palm Beach; and Letter Carrier/Shop Steward (NALC Branch 1071) Eddrest Young, County Line Annex, Miami. Ed Coppola is the USPS Co-Chair and Mel Rexroth is the NALC Co-Chair.

CFC Collects $212,705.51 to Date

The South Florida District already has achieved 28% of its goal, obtaining donations totaling $212,705.61. CONGRATULATIONS to the following areas:

South Florida L&DC with $19,906.80 at 69%
Miami Customer Service with $69,386.26 at 62%
Hollywood Customer Service with $19,179.90 at 64%
Ft. Lauderdale Customer Service with $21,600.95 at 42%

CFC canvassers have not visited all facilities yet, but the campaign is moving forward to exceed our district goal of $764.388.00.

Discounts to Honor Service Men & Women

Eat Free at Applebee's
Military veterans and active-duty service members will be able to eat free at any Applebee's across the U.S. on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11. There will be six entrées available from the menu. Guests will be asked to show one or more of the following as proof of service: a U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, a photograph in uniform, or wearing a uniform in person. For more information about Veterans Day at Applebee's, visit the Applebee's website http://www.applebees.com/vetsDay/default.aspx.

Military Eat Free at Golden Corral
Golden Corral's 9th annual Military Appreciation Monday dinner will be held on Monday, Nov. 15, from 5 to 9 pm in all Golden Corral restaurants nationwide. The free dinner meal is a special "thank you tribute" to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, or in the National Guard/Reserves, you are invited to dine at Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Monday dinner. To date, Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 2.2 million free meals and contributed over $3.3 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization. For more info: http://www.goldencorral.com/military/.

McCormick & Schmick's Complimentary Lunch or Dinner
Veterans will be able to choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée on Sunday, Nov. 7. Some of the mouth-watering selections include Cashew-Crusted Tilapia, Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Seafood Fettuccini Alfredo and Cedar-Planked Salmon. For more info: http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/featured-promotion/Veterans-Appreciation-Day.aspx .

Salute from Outback Steakhouse
As an expression of Outback Steakhouse's appreciation to our country's veterans and active duty military*, a free Bloomin' Onion and beverage of choice (one non-alcoholic drink or one draft Anheuser Busch beer except where prohibited by law) will be available to them at every Outback in the country on Veterans Day. For more info: http://www.outback.com/pressroom/pr_101018.aspx.

Home Depot and Lowe’s Military Discount
Home Depot and Lowe’s have long been known to offer a 10% holiday discount to military members and their families, and in many cases, veterans and retirees. These promotions were usually limited to the main military holidays such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day. Well, no longer – both companies have announced these offers are available every day of the week. For more info: http://themilitarywallet.com/home-depot-lowes-10-military-discount/.

Fee Free Day at National Parks
To honor America’s service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that areas managed by the department would not charge entrance fees on Thursday, Nov. 11.

Colonial Williamsburg Free Admission
Colonial Williamsburg honors America's veterans with a procession down Duke of Gloucester Street, 4:30 pm, beginning at the Capitol. The parade culminates in a public ceremony, with militia and cannon crew firing volleys in recognition of those who serve. Hear Colonial Williamsburg's Fifes and Drums, and speakers from past and present. Active duty military, guard and reservists, retirees, veterans and their dependents enjoy free admission passes Friday through Wednesday, Nov. 6-11. For more info:
http://www.history.org/visit/eventsAndExhibits/calendar/index.cfm?id=421009&startAt=1&&searchAll=0&categorySelect=&&keyWords=veteran&itemsPerPage=25&types=&start_date=11/11/2010&end_date=11/11/2010#show_undefined

(Editor's Note: Special thanks to John Zeigler for sharing this information with us.)