Q: On Oct. 12, 2010, someone asked if there is Medicare supplement insurance available under FEHB. You responded that we would have to wait until November 2010 when open season starts.
Were there any companies offering a supplement plan for Medicare under FEHB? If not, can you refer me to someone that can advise as to the best plans (most cost effective) for FEHB participants that are also covered by Medicare Parts A and B? I have been paying for a self-and-family Standard Option BCBC plan for more than 30 years and carried it into retirement over 20 years ago. My wife and I are both on Medicare and both are paying a part B premium. I would think there is a plan that would provide the supplemental coverage that I need with Medicare A and B at a lower cost than Standard option BCBS.
A: GEHA and Mail Handlers were the only ones offering a pilot program that would coordinate their benefits with Medicare. If you had agreed to accept the same copayments and/or coinsurance as non-Medicare enrollees, they would have contributed toward the cost of your Medicare Part B premiums. You’ll have to wait until the next open season to see if they continue this offering and if other plans join them.
