Q. In 1997, I retired from the federal government at age 58. I will soon be 74. When I became eligible for Medicare, I chose only Plan A, since most of Plan B would have duplicated my Blue Cross/Blue Shield benefits. My wife is 59, and went on Social Security disability in 2008. She chose only Plan A of Medicare for the above stated reason. Now, I am rethinking my situation. If we were to apply for Plan B, would we be required to pay the 10 percent annual penalty for each year because we chose not to take Plan B? If so, that would…
Browsing: Medicare
Q. As a government civilian, you have the benefit to carry your Federal Employees Health Benefits into retirement provided you: 1. Are eligible to receive an immediate annuity. 2. Are insured on the date of retirement (or covered as a family member under the FEHB program), and 3. Have been covered for the five years of service immediately preceding retirement or since your first opportunity to enroll. The decision to accept a reduction in force and move to unemployment is one option, but would you lose the right to carry FEHB into retirement because your were separated by the RIF.…
Q. I will turn 65 next year and am very confused about Medicare Part A and my current Federal Employees Health Benefits (Blue Cross/Blue Shield Basic) coverage. I just read that applying for Medicare Part A is optional, and if I do not apply for it, my FEHB will continue as my primary insurance. My doctor’s office tells me BC/BS pays a higher reimbursement than Medicare. Do I have to apply for Medicare when I reach 65? If I do not apply, will my BC/BS Basic continue as it is? Where can I find information to help me make the…
Q. I am a CSRS annuitant over 65 with Blue Cross/Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan as my Federal Employees Health Benefits insurer. My wife, who is turning 65 next month, and is covered under my FEHB has been served a notice that she will have $104.90 per month deducted from her Social Security benefit to pay for Part B. Is there something in the laws governing the FEHB program that requires covered spouses of retired federal employees to pay for Part B or forfeit benefits under the FEHB program?
Q. When I retire at age 58, I will have 30 years under FERS. I intend to keep my Blue Cross/Blue Shield FEP coverage in retirement. I intend to reside permanently outside the U.S. Am I correct that Medicare Part A and Part B do not provide coverage outside of the U.S.? If that is correct, am I able to retain my FEP Blue Cross/Blue Shield past age 65 and not enroll in Medicare Part B? Is it correct that I will be automatically enrolled in Part A, as I’ve already paid into it?
Q. Do I need Medicare Part A if I want to keep my existing Blue Cross/Blue shield federal health insurance?
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…
Q. I will be retiring with 18+ years of federal service in March at age 57 under MRA +10. I am a military retiree enrolled in Tricare Prime. I have been looking at what, if any, Federal Employees Health Benefits I should take. I know, at age 65, I will need to get Medicare Part A. But is using something available under FEHB my best option? Since I have never been enrolled by FEHB before, I know I have to get documentation from Tricare saying I have used them for at least five years. If I go with FEHB, can…
Q. A local hospital in Panama accepts Federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield and does not bill the patient who has Medicare Part B for deductible or co-pay because the hospital bills federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield directly for the total medical expense, and federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield collects whatever they don’t pay from Medicare. This surprised me because I thought Medicare did not pay for any medical attention received outside of the U.S. I have Medicare Part B but no other insurance and was told I wouldn’t qualify under this hospital’s policies as I don’t have Blue Cross/Blue Shield, federal or otherwise.…
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…