Q: Retired Federal Employees

[Miss Marty]

Health Insurance Questions for Retired Federal Employees

What did you decide on when it was time for Medicare

Once you turn age 65,
you are eligible for Free Medicare A Hospital Insurance

You are also eligible for Medicare B Medical Insurance at a monthly premium
(Most people will pay the standard premium amount around $100 month)

What do most Retired Federal Employees
Do when its time to select Medicare " B "

Do they take Medicare B and drop FEHB
Do they take Medicare B and keep FEHB

OPM - The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program for Retired
Federal Employees offers Blue Cross & Blue Shield at a high monthly fee.

In 2011 the Standard Family Plan cost federal retirees $431.60 per month

Federal Benefits - Open Season - November 14 - December 12, 2011

 

[Cheryl20772]

My hubby and I have individual FEHBP Blue Cross standard option plans. He has Medicare A only. I become eligible in December and plan to do Medicare A and B with the FEHBP Blue Cross individual plan. I thought about reducing that coverage, but decided to keep it.

The Blue Cross will satisfy all of the deductibles not covered by Medicare B for me and provides prescription coverage; so we will only have his deductibles to manage. With our luck, I'll never get sick or used all this insurance.

I can't believe how much health insurance junk mail I am getting as I approach 65. Glad to have mine all planned out already.

 

[mecllap]

So far, I'm keeping my BC/BS along with Medicare (inc. part B) because it has coverage when I travel outside the States (which I have used), along with the prescription coverage. My understanding is that Medicare does not cover any international needs. I also qualify for some VA coverage, so am fortunate to be what seems over-insured right now (altho the VA doesn't offer some of the Rx I use). If I stop traveling, I might look into a better way to cover the Rx, and drop the BC/BS. It's very confusing -- hard to know what to do. (I'm not sure I need Part B, but if you don't sign up right away, you pay a penalty later -- another confusion).

 

[Judy]

DH is the retired Federal Employee. We have Medicare parts A and B and kept our Blue Cross FEHP coverage. It IS very expensive, but

1. If you don't buy Medicare part B from the beginning, the price gets higher every year (or is it every month? ) that you aren't a member;

2. Between Medicare and Blue Cross, almost everything is covered. At 65, we aren't getting our money's worth, but I expect we will as we grow older;

3. We travel internationally a lot. Medicare will not pay for health care outside of the US but Blue Cross FEHP will.

 

[Stressy]

My Mother is the retired employee. She kept FEHB (BC/BS) and only took Medicare A.

She is now regretting it as it is 6 years later...and she has suddenly had a large amount of health issues AND the assorted bills. 20 % of a lot IS a lot especially on a fixed income. Had she taken Medicare B it would have coordinated with FEHB and she wouldn't have the bills she has now. I asked her to pick up Medicare B last year during open enrollment but I'm pretty sure she didn't as the price is of course even more than when she first retired. Yes, it does go up for each year you have elected not to enroll.

I have learned a lot about Medicare and insurance dealing with her various health issues. Like many of you-she was perfectly fine...and then BAM. Please..don't skimp on your insurance like she did. That extra 100.00 a month she saved by not electing Part B has been spent ten fold.

 

[irish]

i am NOT a government employee, but i know many who are and have been told to ALWAYS take medicare parts A and B right from the get go.

 

[pgnewarkboy]

We are going with GEHA into addition to Medicare Part B. It is over 2000 per year cheaper than bc/bs for the family plan. The drug coverage is not as good as bcbs if you use many non generics. We haven't used GEHA before but decided to try it. We can change next open season if we are unhappy.

 

[Miss Marty]

Medicare: The Basics and Beyond

The Department of Aging and Disabilities Senior Health Insurance Program
(SHIP) offered an over view of Medicare at a local senior center where we
talked and learned about Medicare A & B - Advantage and Medigap Plans.

 

[Miss Marty]

Retired Federal Employees My Blue and Medicare (PDF)


A Guide for Retired Federal Employees
On How Your Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Coverage Works With Medicare 26 pages

http://www.fepblue.org/benefitplans/medicare/medicareandyou_nav2011.pdf