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…
Browsing: Medicare Part B
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. The cost of optional Medicare Part B coverage goes up by $60 this year and a lot more the year after. I want to rescind this coverage. Am I right in assuming that it is still optional? A. Yes, enrollment in Medicare Part B is optional. Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
Q. I plan on retiring at the end of 2014. I have been with the service 33½ years under CSRS. I have a couple of incurable medical issues, so I go to the doctor and hospital regularly. I have always paid into FEHP and have had BC/BS for more than five years. My question is regarding medical insurance. Do I have to obtain Medicare parts B, C and D? I will be continuing to pay into my FEHP when I retire but want to know if I should get any of those other plans because I do not want to…
Q. I’m retiring under CSRS on Dec. 31. I’m covered by Federal Employees Health Benefits. I intend to sign up for Part B and keep FEHB. My wife is under my FEHB and Medicare A/B. When would be the best time for me to sign up for Medicare Part B? Under Part B, how do I know what level of coverage I need under FEHB? Should I keep what I have now? A. There is a seven-month initial enrollment period for Medicare Part B. It begins three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after that month. It’s…
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 confused about your Oct. 22 answer to “Medicare Part B in retirement.” I am 63, retired, receiving my Social Security benefit, have coverage with Blue Cross/Blue Shield for my wife and myself, am not employed, and have no plans to return to work. It is my understanding that BC/BS requires purchase of Part B when I become eligible in a year or so. Yet, the answer to the question seemed unequivocal in stating that B is optional. Can you clarify for me, please? A. Don’t be confused. What I wrote is correct. To back that up, here’s…
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…