Q. I’m a federal retiree who is considering changing to Blue Cross/Blue Shield Basic during the next open season. How does Medicare Part A work in conjunction with BC/BS Basic? Which would be the primary? A. Medicare would be primary and your Federal Employees Health Benefits plan secondary. To find out how the two benefits would be coordinated, check with your plan.
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Q. I am 70 years old and still employed as a federal worker. Does the HMO I am covered by now become my secondary when I retire and I get Medicare Part B? Is my payment to my HMO reduced if it becomes my secondary? A. As soon as you retire, Medicare will become the primary payer and your HMO the secondary payer. That goes for Medicare Part A and Part B. The rates you pay for your FEHB coverage won’t change. You’ll pay the same amount you paid when you were an employee, unless you are a Postal Service…
Q. My sister is a retired police officer living in North Carolina and will be eligible for Medicare in August. How does she apply for Medicare? All of the questions I’ve looked at address retirees who are on Social Security, which she will not be. She will continue with Blue Cross/Blue Shield government health insurance. A. She should call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 and talk to one of their benefits specialists. If she isn’t eligible for a Social Security benefit, she won’t be eligible for Medicare Part A. However, she can enroll in Part B at her own…
Q. My father was recently involved in a motor-vehicle accident where a car hit him while he was riding his bicycle. He’s 72 and sustained major fractures to his ankle. During this time, my siblings and I realized that his insurance was so substantial, that we wondered if he was overinsured, possibly due a refund from his primary insurance carrier. He has NALC insurance and Medicare Parts A and B. His Social Security is deposited directly into his checking account, so he hasn’t seen a statement in awhile, but he thinks he has insurance premiums deducted from his monthly deposit.…
Q. We are getting conflicting answers to a question. I am retired from Civil Service and have Blue Cross Blue Shield (high option), as well as Medicare Parts A and B. My husband is under my BCBS policy. He just turned 65 but will continue to work until 66. Can he apply for his Medicare card Parts A and B now? If yes, how and where? Medicare has not sent us paperwork. A. He can apply online at www.ssa.gov/medicareonly.
Q. I am 65 and signed up for Medicare Parts A and B. I also continued my BCBS standard option health coverage after reading the FEBH/Medicare brochure. I believe it is recommended that I continue the BCBS coverage. I received an email regarding the open season and am very confused as to whether I should continue the BCBS standard option or switch to a Medicare Supplement plan. Looking at the open season email and some of the links, I think I need to consider some Medicare Supplements. I think I would have to suspend my health benefits if I were…
Q. I plan to continue my federal health care plan after I retire next year. Will I still have the option to switch providers in the future during open season? Do I have to enroll/sign up for Medicare Part A? Is there any general guidance on whether I should pick up Medicare Part B on top of my existing Federal Employees Health Benefits HMO? A. Yes, you can change your FEHB provider during any open season. While you don’t have to sign up for Medicare Part A, there’s no reason not to do so. You’ve already paid for it through…
Q. I’m 64½ years old, retired FERS with Federal Employees Health Benefits. No dependents. I am also retired military, but I have never used Tricare. I am now considering what to do in this open season and as I reach 65 years of age. This is my plan: 1) Enroll in a cheaper (I have Kaiser now), more reasonably priced FEHB during open season. 2) Suspend that new FEHB coverage using form RI 79-9 to OPM. 3) Use my Tricare Standard until I reach 65 years (five months from now). 4) Find a Physician who take Tricare Standard. 5) Enroll…
Q. As I am about to start receiving Social Security benefits, I find myself confused in regards to Medicare. I am fully covered under my wife’s medical coverage for at least 10 more years, including dental, eye, etc. Can I refuse the government Medicare Part A and all of the other options if I choose to? If so, is the correct form CMS-1763? I have not received any payments thus far, as I opted to wait for full retirement at 66. A. While you can refuse Medicare Part A coverage, I’m not sure why you’d want to do that. It…
Q. My husband retired in CSRS at age 55. He will turn 62 in January and plans to collect his Social Security benefits then. He has BCBS federal basic family plan, which includes me. Is he required to accept Medicare Part A? If so, how does that affect my coverage? I am not collecting any retirement or Social Security benefits at this time, as I am just now 60. A. He isn’t required to apply for Medicare Part A; however, since he has already paid for the coverage and the way his FEHB plan will operate after he becomes eligible…