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…
Browsing: Medicare Part A
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 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. I retired from the IRS when I was 58. I will be 65 in a couple of months. My wife and I have Blue Cross health benefits through my civil service retirement. Do I need to sign up for Medicare? Which part? Do my Blue Cross premiums remain the same? How much are the Medicare premiums? Are the Medicare premiums deducted from my civil service retirement? A. You should sign up for Medicare Part A because you already paid for it and you won’t have to pay any premiums. Whether or not you sign up for Part B is…
Q. I will be retiring next year after 31 years from CSRS. I am not eligible for Social Security. Am I eligible for Medicare parts A and B at age 65? A. While you aren’t eligible for Medicare Part A, you will be able to enroll in Medicare Part B.
Q. I will be retiring next year after 31 years from CSRS. I am not eligible for Social Security. Am I eligible for Medicare parts A and B at age 65? A. Yes, you are. You paid for Part A coverage through payroll deductions. You’ll also be eligible for Part B, for which you would have to pay the premiums.