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…
Browsing: Medicare Part B
Q. I have the standard option federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I will be 65 this year and will sign up for Medicare Part B. Should I reduce my federal coverage to the basic option? A. Only you can answer that question. You’ll need to compare the benefits in each Federal Employees Health Benefits option with what Medicare provides and how the two interact. Since you know both your current level of health and what you anticipate (or fear) may happen in the future, you are in a better position than anyone else to decide which is the better choice.
Q. I retired from the federal government Oct. 3 at age 59. My husband, age 67, receives Social Security benefits. Since I carry him under my Federal Employees Health Benefits, he did not elect Medicare Part B when he began receiving the Social Security benefits. However, now that I am retired, does he have to sign up for Part B? I’ve also provided for a spousal annuity for him should I pass. My human resources office advised that if he does sign up, because I just retired, any penalty, etc., will be waived. I’ve been researching to try and understand…
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. My husband and I are retired feds. We kept our fed insurance because I was not on Medicare yet. We figure that we will pay more than $500 a month for Part B, which is more than our federal insurance. If we do not take Part B now and our income drops later, can we sign up without penalty? A. No.
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. 1. Can someone switch from Blue Cross/Blue Shield to Medicare Part B at age 71? 2. Should it be done? 3. If yes, how can it be done, and what are the costs? I am 71 and self-employed (since 2011), covered under my wife’s federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan. My wife has been retired for a few years and she also turned 71 in 2012. My wife was just operated for a brain tumor and is being scheduled for radiation therapy and chemotherapy. A. While your wife could disenroll from the Federal Employees Health Benefits program and both of…
Q. How is Medicare Part B deducted if you have a federal pension? Does it work like Social Security? I am not 65 yet but would like to know how I get my premiums paid from my pension. A. The Social Security Administration can arrange to have your Medicare Part B premiums deducted from your annuity. When you approach your 65th birthday, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. A benefits specialist will help you make the arrangement.
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…