Browsing: FEHBP

Q: I am a retired federal employee, almost 65 years old, and I have to decide whether to sign up for Medicare Part B. Whether I sign up or not, I will continue with the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (currently Government Employees Health Association, which has a maximum annual $5,000 out-of-pocket expense). The Part B decision seems to be one of costs versus benefits. I would pay about $1,400 per year for Part B and would save/eliminate most of my out-of-pocket expenses. I rarely spend more than about $1,000 a year in out-of-pocket expenses.   It’s almost impossible to…

Q: Is there a Federal Employees Health Benefit provider that provides care in case something happens while traveling overseas? What happens to my insurance if I leave federal service for a year and do something else? Can I still pay and keep my health benefits? A: Every FEHB plan has a section in its brochure that explains what it will cover if you live or travel outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico. As to your other question, if you were to leave government, you would receive a 31-day extension of coverage at no cost to yourself. During that time, you…

Q: I am a retired postal annuitant on Medicare. I heard that letters were sent out in the spring inviting insurers to offer a health care supplement for people such as me, so that I don’t have to pay for a full-blown plan when I also have Medicare Parts A and B. I cannot find any insurers offering such a plan for 2011. Are there any plans being offered? Who offers them? Are there any fee-for-service insurers?  A: I don’t know if OPM had any takers. We won’t know that until it makes its Federal Employees Health Benefits open season…

Q: I am planning to retire in two months after 30 years of federal service. I will continue with the Blue Cross Blue Shield No. 105 health insurance plan. I also have premium free Medicare A coverage. My present thinking is to not enroll in Medicare plan B. I am 69 and have been drawing Social Security benefits while working. When I retire, I understand Medicare A will become my primary coverage during hospitalization. It is not clear to me the situation regarding doctor’s office visits. Will the office visit continue to be covered by my BCBS plan? Does the…

Q: My father retired from the Internal Revenue Service 20 years ago. He has Medicare Part A but did not take Medicare Part B and has continued his Federal Employees Health Benefits insurance plan. Until now, all bills had been covered by his Aetna FEHB insurance. Now he needs surgery, and he was informed that this insurance is secondary and Medicare Part B, which he does not have, is primary. Is that accurate? Why is he paying $16,000 a year for in private insurance if it is only secondary? Also, I got the impression that if you don’t take Medicare…

Q: I am on regular Medicare and have maintained my BC/BS family coverage through FEHBP for a monthly cost of $510 or so. Would I not be better off getting a Medicare supplement policy that would not cost anywhere near as much as my FEHBP premium? Do many federal retirees make this choice? I had thought it wise to maintain FEHBP, and will until my wife catches up with me and goes on Medicare, but due to these costs I wonder. A: If I read you correctly, you are considering dropping FEHB coverage and buying supplemental Medicare coverage before your…

Q. I am 59 years old, and will be eligible for Medicare as of May 1 because of a disability. At present I am covered under my husband’s insurance through FEHBP (my husband is now deceased). Do I need to enroll in Medicare Part B, and if I do, then does my health insurance change? Will I become Medicare Primary and what FEHBP offers as a supplement or can I continue to keep my existing plan? A. It’s up to you to decide whether to enroll in Medicare Part B and pay the required premiums. If you do, Medicare Part…

Q. Why does Medicare become one’s primary insurer when they reach 65? I am a retired federal employee with FEHB, which becomes secondary at that age. Is Medicare better? A. Medicare becomes primary because the law requires it. The law applies to anyone who is retired and enrolled in Medicare. It does not apply to those age 65 or older who are still employed. In their case, any private or public health insurance they have remains primary and Medicare secondary. Note: While you have already paid for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) through payroll deduction, whether or not you enroll…

Q. I saw your Web site and am wondering if you might be able to clear up some confusion. My 85-year old mother-in-law receives a pension from the Postal Service, and has health insurance through the Postal Service. She is a retiree. My understanding is that Medicare is her secondary payer. Do you know if the Postal Service health insurance requires that Medicare be the secondary payer, or if she can choose? This is crucial, because she has had a stroke and needs to be in a rehab facility. She is unable to answer many of the questions her children…

Q. I will be retiring in February 2011 at 58 from CSRS as a GS-15 with 30 years of service. My wife is on Social Security Disability and will be 64. She currently has Medicare Part A but not Part B. We have Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield standard and also have long-term care insurance. When she went on disability, Blue Cross indicated that it would be the primary payer and Medicare secondary but that it would switch after I retired, with Medicare the primary for her. In researching the OPM Web page, it’s my understanding that she cannot be…

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