Q. I’m retiring and have been enrolled in the FEHB program for over five years. Can I stay on Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s federal coverage along with Part A Medicare for as long as I please? I’m thinking of keeping BCBS instead of Medicare Part B or any other supplemental program. Is that a good idea?
A. Yes, you can continue your FEHB enrollment when your Medicare Part A coverage begins. I can’t tell you whether not enrolling in Medicare Part B is a good idea. However, I can tell you that very few retirees do that. And even fewer enroll in supplemental plans.
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” I can’t tell you whether not enrolling in Medicare Part B is a good idea. However, I can tell you that very few retirees do that. ”
Very few retires do what? DO Enroll in Part B or do NOT enroll in part B?
Sorry that I wasn’t clearer. Very few retirees enroll in Medicare Part B.
Will all eligible dependents still be covered?
Yes, under the FEHB program as long as you are enrolled in the Self and Family option. No, under Medicare, which applies only to the covered individual.
What about Self Plus One folks? That’s what I have with my husband. It’s just the two of us.
Yes. However, the person who wrote in wanted to know how to cover “all eligible dependents.”
Is there a catch to: signing up for Medicare B, while retaining BCBS, then discontinuing Medicare B should it not work out later? Won’t BCBS revert back to primary? Are there any unknown penalties (?), as this strategy does not seem to be discussed.
As you suspected, if you discontinued your Medicare Part B coverage, your FEHB coverage for those benefits would revert to what it was before you signed up for Part B. However, your Part A enrollent would provide primary coverage for any benefits covered by Part A.
” I can’t tell you whether not enrolling in Medicare Part B is a good idea. However, I can tell you that very few retirees do that. ”
Recognizing that each individuals situation is different, can you offer some pro’s and con’s for keeping your FEHB plan and not enrolling in Medicare part B. If most people do that it must offer better coverage or be less expensive, in general.
Based on anecdotal evidence, most eligible FEHB-covered participants don’t enroll in Medicare Part B. In my experience, those that do so fall into three categories: those who are operating on auto-pilot, those who are anxious about health issues that might occur in the future, and those who already have health conditions that make Part B a good investment.
Can you have Kaiser Advantage Part C and remain in the government plans? Do you have to cancel the insurance with the government?
For the official guidance on suspending your FEHB coverage, go to https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/Guide-Me/Retirees-Survivors/#url=Health