Q. I am currently enrolled in Medicare parts A and B. What exactly does my federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan pay for besides prescription?
Browsing: Medicare
Q. I am a 64-year-old retired CSRS annuitant. I am not eligible for Social Security. My husband is on my Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage with Kaiser Permanente (HMO standard option). He works for the Postal Service but is under my medical insurance. He will turn 65 in November but will continue working until 66, when he is eligible for Social Security benefits. I understand that he must sign up for Medicare Part A soon. If he elects not to sign up for Part B, will he be able to sign up for it without penalty when I apply for…
Q. My wife, who is younger than me, is a retired federal employee with health insurance (FEHB: Blue Cross) that covers both of us. I will turn 65 this year. If I fail to take Medicare Part B within three months of turning 65, then I will have to: 1. Wait for open enrollment for Medicare and then six months; and 2. Pay a penalty for each year. When I called Blue Cross, they indicated that if my wife continues with her plan, there is no reason to take Part B. Social Security warns me about the 10 percent-per-year cost…
Q. I am enrolled in Medicare Part B, in addition to my Blue Cross/Blue Shield medical. If, after a year, I drop Part B and then later decide that I want to re-enroll in Part B, is there a one-time penalty or some other cost to me for re-enrolling in Part B?
Q. I turned 65 last November and am still working as a federal employee. As required, I filed for Medicare and became covered by it also in November. I become fully eligible for Social Security on my 66th birthday and intend to retire shortly thereafter. Since I am not currently receiving Social Security, I am paying a quarterly Medicare premium of about $320. On my earned leave statement, I notice I am also paying a “Medicare tax” on my biweekly earnings. Is this paying twice for the same thing? Or what is this Medicare tax covering?
Q. I work for the federal government and have 31 years in CSRS. I will turn 65 in August. Am I required to file for Medicare even though I am planning on keeping my Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance and Government Employees Health Association dental insurance after I retire in another two or three years?
Q. I need help deciding whether to keep my Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance after being eligible (Nov. 1) for Medicare. I pay $125 monthly for BC/BS coverage today. I received a letter from Medicare stating that I am to be covered for Medicare Part A and Part B. If I do not refuse Plan B, I will be charged $105 monthly by Medicare. I wonder why I should pay $105 more every month for medical insurance coverage. I need to know whether to give up the Plan B coverage and not pay the $105 monthly or whether to give up…
Q. My spouse and I are a same-sex couple and recently married in Maryland. I have been a federal employee for 16 years and my spouse is self-employed and has Medicare. Is it a good idea to put him on my health plan? If he is on my plan, what part of Medicare should he keep or should he drop Medicare all together?
Q. I am age 65 and my spouse is 71. I have a Blue Cross/Blue Shield family plan. I am an active federal employee. Does it pay to also purchase Medicare Part B for myself and my spouse and keep my current plan? Should I purchase a less expensive plan and purchase Part B? What makes the most sense?
Q. I am a retired postal worker (mail handler). When I turned 65, I enrolled and am currently paying for Medicare Part B. I also am paying premium for my Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage monthly. Should I discontinue Part B since I have coverage under Blue Cross/Blue Shield for medical?