Q. I am 65 and signed up for Medicare Parts A and B. I also continued my BCBS standard option health coverage after reading the FEBH/Medicare brochure. I believe it is recommended that I continue the BCBS coverage. I received an email regarding the open season and am very confused as to whether I should continue the BCBS standard option or switch to a Medicare Supplement plan. Looking at the open season email and some of the links, I think I need to consider some Medicare Supplements. I think I would have to suspend my health benefits if I were…
Browsing: Open season
Q. I am a CSRS employee with 34 years of federal service. I am going to retire in 2013. If I suspend my Federal Employees Health Benefits to go under my husband’s Tricare, will I still be able to reinstate my FEHB any time I want during an open season after I become an annuitant? Also, will I still be able to join the long-term federal health insurance plan? A. Yes to both questions. If you suspend your coverage to be under Tricare, you can re-enroll in the FEHB program during any open season. You can enroll in the Federal…
Q. I know one has to have Federal Employees Health Benefits for five years before one quits or retires to get this benefit. Does it have to be family coverage for five years, or can I change my self-only coverage to family in the last year before retirement? Can I change it after retirement? A. You can change from self-only to self and family and from self and family to self-only during any open season. The only requirement to carry your FEHB coverage into retirement is that you be covered continuously for the five years before you retire. Note: I…
Q. I know one has to have Federal Employees Health Benefits for five years before one quits or retires to get this benefit. Does it have to be family coverage for five years, or can I change my self-only coverage to family in the last year before retirement? Can I change it after retirement? A. You can change from self-only to self and family and from self and family to self-only during any open season. The only requirement to carry your FEHB coverage into retirement is that you be covered continuously for the five years before you retire. Note: I…
Q. I plan to continue my federal health care plan after I retire next year. Will I still have the option to switch providers in the future during open season? Do I have to enroll/sign up for Medicare Part A? Is there any general guidance on whether I should pick up Medicare Part B on top of my existing Federal Employees Health Benefits HMO? A. Yes, you can change your FEHB provider during any open season. While you don’t have to sign up for Medicare Part A, there’s no reason not to do so. You’ve already paid for it through…
Q. I’m 64½ years old, retired FERS with Federal Employees Health Benefits. No dependents. I am also retired military, but I have never used Tricare. I am now considering what to do in this open season and as I reach 65 years of age. This is my plan: 1) Enroll in a cheaper (I have Kaiser now), more reasonably priced FEHB during open season. 2) Suspend that new FEHB coverage using form RI 79-9 to OPM. 3) Use my Tricare Standard until I reach 65 years (five months from now). 4) Find a Physician who take Tricare Standard. 5) Enroll…