Medicare Part A and Part B

Q. I will turn 65 in July of this year. I’m retired through the CSRS. Should I enroll in Medicare Parts A and B? I’m enrolled in Blue Cross Blue Shield in the federal health insurance program and plan on keeping my insurance. If I take Parts A and B, how much would they cost?

A. It wouldn’t make any sense not to enroll in Medicare Part A. You’ve already paid for that coverage through payroll deductions, and after you retire, it wouldn’t cost you anything. As for Part B, if you want to enroll in it, you’d have to pay the premiums. If your individual taxable income in the prior tax year was $85,000 or less, the premium would be $104.90 per month. If your taxable income was higher than that, the premium would be higher. According to NARFE, the National Association for Active and Retired Federal Employees, the FEHB coverage of most retirees is sufficient. Whether Part B would be a good investment for you is something you’ll need to decide for yourself.