Q. Are my insurance premiums reduced when I am eligible for Medicare Advantage plans?
A. No. they aren’t reduced. However, according to OPM, “When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may not need FEHB coverage because the Medicare Advantage plan will provide you with many of the same benefits. You should review the Medicare Advantage Plan benefits carefully before making a decision to suspend or cancel FEHB coverage.”
6 Comments
I will be eligible for medicare Oct 1. I have BCBS Federal healthcare through my FERS retirement. I also use VA. However, the VA does NOT take care of us properly. I cannot drop BCBS so how will medicare affect me? I really don’t understand. Help & thanks.
OPM has an information page on how benefits are coordinated between your FEHB plan (like BCBS) and Medicare.
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/medicare/coordination-of-medicare-and-fehb-benefits/
Basically, if you are still working, FEHB is Primary and Medicare is secondary. Once you retire, Medicare is Primary and FEHB is secondary. If you have both, you will pay very little out of pocket, which is a very good thing.
I am a Federal CSRS Offset employee and plan to retire in June. Does the Medicare Advantage plans cover spouses?
If you are asking if it operates the same as Self Plus One for the FEHB program, the answer is no. If you are asking if your spouse is eligible to enroll on her own, you’ll have to give them a call at 1-877-288-1646.
I currently pay for Medicare B and FEHB. I am 65 and healthy. I had no health issues nor concerns last year (including no prescriptions) during my first year of being in both Medicare and FEHB. I am considering suspending my FEHB and enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan this year in order to save on the costs. But I’m not sure about how difficult it may be to return to FEHB during another open season later in life.
Is this a good idea? I can easily afford both Medicare and the FEHB premium, but it may not be the best financial decision for me. What is your opinion? Thank-you very much.
While I can’t offer an opinion. I can tell you that you can suspend your FEHB coverage in favor of Medicare Advantage and return to the FEHB program during any Open Season.