Q. As a currently “working” federal employee with Federal Employees Health Benefits, soon to receive Medicare and Tricare for Life, how can FEHB be eliminated from the three insurances but be reobtainable should there be a lapse in Medicare or TFL? The situation is simple for a federal employee going into retirement: Fill out form 79-9 electing to suspend FEHB for Medicare and TFL. Is there a form or path to do the same if a federal employee continues to “work” and wants to eliminate FEHB coverage? I am told, if “working,” an employee must cancel FEHB. It would be…
Browsing: Re-enrollment
Q. I turn 60 on Jan. 1, 2015. I am a FERS employee who will have 20 years creditable service in January of 2014. If I retire Dec. 13, 2014 (the end of a pay period) do I understand correctly that my Federal Employees Health Benefits and Federal Employees Group Life Insurance coverage will be extended for 31 days at no cost to me? I plan on postponing my annuity receipt until Jan. 1 (when I turn 60) to avoid the under-62 penalty. Also, do I understand correctly that since my postponed annuity date will be Jan. 1 that my…
Q. I am retired under CSRS and have chosen a survivor benefit for my wife. I have self-and-family Blue Cross/Blue Shield under Federal Employees Health Benefits. My wife and I have Medicare parts A and B. The Veterans Affairs Department has classified me 100 percent disabled, so I am also entitled to free medical benefits through the VA system and my wife is covered by CHAMPVA. I feel I’m grossly overinsured. 1. Can I suspend my FEHB coverage because of my VA coverage and have the option of re-enrolling if I lose my 100 percent disability (not very likely, but anything’s possible)? 2. If I…
Q. I am 65 and plan to retire in two years. I have Medicare now as my primary. I have federal Blue Cross as secondary and Tricare as third. (I am a retired Navy veteran.) My wife is 59. She has had four knee replacements and has a lot of issues with arthritis. Tricare says I have to have Medicare Part A and B. Once I drop Tricare, I understand I cannot get it back. I feel that my wife and I are grossly overinsured. However, it appears that I have to keep it all — Medicare A and B,…
Q. I want to retire at age 57 with 28 years federal service and receive my health benefits but defer the annuity until age 62. Is that possible? My co-workers say I should work until age 59 with 30 years federal service and begin collecting all benefits then. What would the difference in the benefits be?
Q. My office is offering Voluntary Early Retirement Authority to qualified employees. I have been employed by the federal government for 26 years and have been covered under health insurance since my initial appointment. I carry the self-and-family plan. I am considering taking the VERA in January. At the same time, I am considering an employment opportunity outside the federal government should I retire. That company provides health insurance for their employees and family members. I will not work for them long enough to carry their health benefits once I decide I am done working for good. Is there a…
Q. I have a friend on a full disability retirement through FERS. He has become eligible for Medicaid and told me he wants to drop his Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance. 1. Is this a good idea? 2. If it is OK for him to drop it, what number does he call at the Office of Personnel Management to make that happen?
Q. For the past 20+ years, I have held term appointments with several federal government commissions and boards in the D.C. area. Naturally, I have experienced several breaks in my service. Will the gaps in my employment make me ineligible for federal employee health benefits upon retirement? And, if I am considered ineligible, is there a possibility that a waiver can be obtained through the Office of Personnel Management? I was told I need to carry health insurance at least five years prior to retirement, but have not received an official answer from my human resources office about my personal…
Q. I am a 58-year-old retiree under CSRS with continued coverage under Federal Employees Health Benefits for family. I am now about to be employed full time in my state school system, which offers health benefits that seem better than my coverage under FEHB. If I select to stop deductions for FEHB to utilize the state coverage, will this terminate my ever going back to FEHB if I decide to drop my state health plan?
Q. I am a federal retiree on Medicare with a Federal Employees Health Benefits Medicare Advantage Plan. I am considering leaving the FEHB Medicare Advantage Plan to enroll in a non-FEHB Medicare Advantage Plan. Is it possible to return to a FEHB Medicare Advantage Plan in the future and receive the same benefits?