Q. I retired from the federal government at age 55 with survivor benefits for my husband, who is eight years younger than I am. I will be eligible for Medicare on Dec. 1. If I opt for the Medicare parts A and B, can I reduce the costs of Blue Cross/Blue Shield by going from family plan, which covers both of us, to the single plan for him only? A. Not unless he is a federal employee or retiree and, as such, eligible to enroll on his own.
Browsing: HEALTH INSURANCE
Q. My wife and I are both federal employees. I am CSRS and she is FERS. Since 2009, I have carried “family” health coverage that is deducted from my CSRS paycheck to cover our health insurance needs. Prior to 2009, she carried her own federal health insurance. She has had no break in federal service (health care coverage) between 1988 and August 2012. Should I precede my wife in death, how much spousal retirement benefit should I leave her so she can continue to receive full federal health insurance benefits? I have been told that all I have to leave…
Q. I am 51 and a postmaster with 29 years in CSRS. I was told my office at USPS will go to four hours in 2014 (I will be 53). If I don’t find another job in the Postal Service before 2014 and am terminated due to reducing my office to a non-postmaster office, can I collect a immediate annuity and keep my health insurance? A. If you are involuntarily separated, you will be eligible for an immediate annuity. The same is true if you are offered an opportunity to retire early. If you have been covered under the Federal…
Q. I am turning 65 and, although professional and educated, am struggling with the “right” choice for Medicare. My service was 15 years CSRS and 18 years FERS. I pay approximately $100/month for excellent HMO coverage. Taking Medicare Part B seems to be doubling my cost without seeing much return on investment other than to appear to be over-insured. Is there any legislation pending or any other compelling reason to take Part B in addition to maintaining FEHBP? A. Signing up for Medicare Part B is a personal decision. No one is pressing you to do that by either persuasion…
Q. I have been notified that my post office will be downgraded and will operate at reduced hours (four hours a day) as of June 2014. I have also been told if I can’t find another postmaster position in an office operating at six hours a day or more by June 2014, I will be terminated and replaced by the postmaster relief or other non-career personnel. The termination will be involuntary on my part and considered a reduction in force. In June 2014, I will be 55, with 28 years of service under FERS. As of that date, I will…
Q. I am a retired federal employee with current BC/BS FEP Code 112 health insurance and Medicare parts A and B. Which is considered primary, and which secondary? Should I expect service providers to submit claims to both? A. Because you are retired, Medicare is primary and your BC/BS plan secondary. Yes, you should expect your providers to submit claims to both.
Q. Can a CSRS Offset retiree cash in or buy out his/her monthly annuity being received for a lump-sum payment, health and survivor benefits notwithstanding? A. No.
Q. If I have 25 years of service and I am 52 and I have health insurance for 15 years, can I take my health insurance with me if I retire this year? Can you go from a federal job to a state job and have your service time go on? Or can you go from a state job to a federal job and have your service time go on? A. Unless your agency offers you an opportunity to retire early, you can’t retire. You don’t meet the age and service requirements to do that. Your federal service wouldn’t be…
Q. I am retiring in two months from the Bureau of Prisons with 20 years. I have always carried the health insurance for me and my wife, along with a grandchild who qualifies. My wife also works for the BOP and I am wondering if I die while carrying the insurance, will she still be able to get her own self-only insurance since she has been on mine for 20 years? A. Yes, as long as she was covered under your self-and-family option when you died and is receiving a survivor annuity.
Q. My mother is living in California and has Kaiser Permanente health care from my father’s retirement as a federal employee. He has passed. My mom is to the point of needing to move closer to my sister in Newport News area, in Virginia. Where can I find information about health care providers in that area? She always has been with Kaiser Permanente, so she is comfortable with HMO-type providers. She never applied for Medicare and says getting it now would cost her too much. She is 86. Is there an HMO her Kaiser health care would transfer to, or…