Browsing: Medicare

Q. Regarding Medicare premiums: Is it taxable income or modified adjusted gross income that is used to determine Medicare premiums for those with higher income? Do you know what the premium amounts will be for 2013? A. The premiums are based on your taxable income, not your gross income. The 2013 premiums haven’t been announced yet.

Q. I am retiring from CSRS on Dec. 1. I have 42 years of federal service. I already have Medicare Part A. I am keeping my health insurance after I retire. Do I have to take out Part B? A. No, you don’t. Part B is optional. It’s up to you to decide if you want to pay for it.

Q. I am confused about your Oct. 22 answer to “Medicare Part B in retirement.” I am 63, retired, receiving my Social Security benefit, have coverage with Blue Cross/Blue Shield for my wife and myself, am not employed, and have no plans to return to work. It is my understanding that BC/BS requires purchase of Part B when I become eligible in a year or so. Yet, the answer to the question seemed unequivocal in stating that B is optional. Can you clarify for me, please? A. Don’t be confused. What I wrote is correct. To back that up, here’s…

Q. I am 68 years old, I am still working and I have FERS. I had to sign up for Medicare Part A when I reached 66 (my full retirement age under Social Security). It was presented as “mandatory” to sign up for Medicare Part A. When I went in to the Social Security office to get information, they told me that if I am still working and have health care coverage by the federal government, I do not have to sign up for Medicare Part B until after I am retired and I am collecting my retirement pension. However,…

Q. I am retired from the USPS (under CSRS) and am turning 65 this year. Can I keep my FEHB insurance? Or must I go on Medicare? Thank you for your time. A. You can — and should — continue your FEHB insurance. You should also sign up for Medicare Part A. It’s free, because you already paid for it through payroll deductions while you were working. Further, your FEHB coverage and Part A work together to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Whether you enroll in Part B, for which you’d pay the premiums, is up to you.

Q. I retired from the federal government two years ago. I was under CSRS. I paid into Medicare while working. Is it necessary for me to have it taken out of my annuity now that I am retired? How do I get it taken out since they do not automatically do it? A. You already paid for Medicare Part A coverage through payroll deductions. The Social Security Administration will get in touch with you shortly before your 62nd birthday to enroll you. To enroll in Medicare Part B, for which you’d pay the premiums, you’d need to call the Social…

Q. I’m 74 and have been retired for 5½ years. During that time, my medical coverage has been through my working wife’s FEHB family plan and Medicare Part A. I’ve never enrolled for Medicare Part B. My wife has just retired, retaining the FEHB family plan. She will also enroll (SEP) for Medicare Part B. If I enroll for Medicare Part B, will I be penalized for late enrollment? A. Yes, if you were covered by her plan when you were first eligible to enroll in Part B. If so, you may enroll during the eight-month period that begins the…

Q. I’m 74 and have been retired for 5½ years. During that time, my medical coverage has been through my working wife’s FEHB family plan and Medicare Part A. I’ve never enrolled for Medicare Part B. My wife has just retired, retaining the FEHB family plan. She will also enroll (SEP) for Medicare Part B. If I enroll for Medicare Part B, will I be penalized for late enrollment? A. Yes, if you were covered by her plan when you were first eligible to enroll in Part B. If so, you may enroll during the eight-month period that begins the…

Q. When I retire from the Veterans Affairs Department at age 62 in nine years, I will have carried Blue Cross/Blue Shield on myself for 20 years and my spouse for 16. He will be 65 then. Can we continue the BC/BS family plan after I retire? What will be the difference in premiums? I pay approximately $200 per month now. I am worried that I won’t have health insurance because I won’t be Medicare-eligible until age 65? A. Relax. You’ll not only be able to continue your coverage in retirement, but the premiums will be the same as those…

Q. I am a 64-year-old federal employee and have Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Federal Employee Plan. I plan to keep that insurance and keep working for the government for several years after turning 65. I am considering whether to sign up and pay approximately $100 per month for Medicare Part B when I turn 65. I know that, as long as I continue to work, Medicare will be secondary to my primary coverage under Blue Cross, but I have found very little that explains what benefits Medicare pays as secondary. For example, will Medicare, as secondary, pay the deductibles…

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