Browsing: Medicare

Q. I am a federal CSRS retiree and my 2010 monthly Medicare deduction increased from $96.40 to $110.50. My husband is a Social Security retiree only and his Medicare deduction remained the same for 2010 as was withheld in 2009, which was $96.40. In trying to find an answer to this disparity, one Web site tells me: “If you make less than $85,000.00 per year, it will be $96.40 per month. If you make more per year, see the link below for those amounts:” Since my gross monthly annuity is $3514.00 (annual total annuity of $42,168.00), is far less from…

Q. I saw your Web site and am wondering if you might be able to clear up some confusion. My 85-year old mother-in-law receives a pension from the Postal Service, and has health insurance through the Postal Service. She is a retiree. My understanding is that Medicare is her secondary payer. Do you know if the Postal Service health insurance requires that Medicare be the secondary payer, or if she can choose? This is crucial, because she has had a stroke and needs to be in a rehab facility. She is unable to answer many of the questions her children…

Q. I will be retiring in February 2011 at 58 from CSRS as a GS-15 with 30 years of service. My wife is on Social Security Disability and will be 64. She currently has Medicare Part A but not Part B. We have Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield standard and also have long-term care insurance. When she went on disability, Blue Cross indicated that it would be the primary payer and Medicare secondary but that it would switch after I retired, with Medicare the primary for her. In researching the OPM Web page, it’s my understanding that she cannot be…

Q: I will be retiring in August 2010 under CSRS. I am 55 years old. I will be keeping my FEHB coverage. Currently, my wife is covered under my FEHB plan and she is 49 years old. When I reach the age of 65, I realize that I will be covered by Medicare as my primary health provider, while my FEHB plan will be my secondary health plan. My question is, Will my wife continue to be under FEHB plan as her primary provider? Which health plan will cover my wife? A: Since she won’t be old enough to qualify…

Q: What advantages, if any, are there for a retired federal employee whose primary residence is Thailand to enroll in Medicare? I am 68 years old, receiving Social Security benefits, and I am enrolled in the Blue Cross federal employee plan. A: Because Medicare generally does not cover health services you get outside the United States, it depends on whether you will be a permanent resident of another country or will be returning periodically to the U.S. At a minimum, you should enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital) because that coverage is free. You already paid for it through payroll…

Q: If I elect to take Medicare Part B at age 65 and I also elect to defer drawing Social Security until age 70, how will I be able to make the Medicare payments for the five-year gap since an allotment from my Social Security check will not be an option? A: If you are retired, you can have the Part B premiums deducted from your annuity. If you are still employed, you can have them deducted from your salary. Note: If you are still employed and covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, you have the option of…

Q: I am a 78-year-old federal employee and will retire at the end of this year. Medicare has been deducted from my paycheck for several years now. As I understand it, I am only eligible to benefit from Part A, which I also understand to be cost-free. As long as I am working, I cannot benefit from Part B. Why have I been charged for a plan that I cannot benefit from? I also carry federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield. After retirement, my BCBS premiums will remain the same, and I am wondering if it is advantageous to continue to pay…

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