Q. I worked and completed my 40 quarters for Social Security before I started working for the federal government (CSRS). Will I have to take a reduction too? Secondly, I am retired now from CSRS, and we have Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance. Thirdly, I start drawing my military retirement starting in July, and we are eligible for Tricare. My second question: Should we switch to Tricare Standard and suspend our BCBS? It would be about a $450-a-month raise (the $450 is what we pay per month for the BCBS).
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Q. I was on Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 15 years through my husband’s employment with a city, but the city contracted with Coventry Health Care instead, about one year and two months ago. I have also been with Tricare (formerly CHAMPUS) through my husband’s retirement from the Navy in 1993. We are divorcing after 37 years of marriage, and I would like to switch to BC/BS in FEHB through my federal employment. If I retire before I have vested five years in BC/BS, will I not be able to take it into retirement? Someone told me that if I had…
Q. I am a FERS employee. I will be drawing my reservist retirement June 27 at 60 years old. Can I drop my Federal Employees Health Benefits for Tricare? Can you give me details about this how long will it take, if this has to be done at open season and the grace period on the policy? A. You can get an FEHB suspension form by calling the Office of Personnel Management’s Retirement Information Office at 1-888-767-6738. They may be able to tell you how long it takes.
Q. My husband and I are both military retirees and have had Tricare for over 38 years. When my husband turned 65, he had to sign up for Medicare and take Part B to retain Tricare for Life. He also dropped off of the Federal Employees Health Benefits plan and then retired from his civilian federal government job and I changed to single coverage on FEHB under me (I am still working as a civilian federal employee). I am considering retiring this year and want to know if I need to add him to my FEHB for him to have…
Q. I am about ready to retire and currently maintain a FEHB policy. My wife is still working and I can fall under her health plan at no extra cost, and the coverage is better. I have been told that you can “suspend” FEHB in retirement and reinstate it if need be. Is this true? A. No, it isn’t true. About the only ones who can suspend coverage are those who are covered by the military’s Tricare program. And they can only re-enroll if they lose that coverage or during an open season.
Q. I am retired under CSRS and have Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage. In June, I will begin drawing my Navy Reserve retirement and will be eligible for Tricare. What is the best way to handle both coverages together? I have heard that if I am covered under FEHB, that has to be the primary and Tricare will be secondary. A. You are correct that your FEHB enrollment would be primary and Tricare secondary. Whether you should keep both enrollments or suspend your FEHB coverage is a matter you’ll have to decide.
Q. I recently became eligible for Tricare Standard through my retirement with the National Guard. I am a federal worker who plans to retire soon. I have always carried high option with my Federal Employees Health Benefits. Now that I have Tricare as a secondary, does it make sense to switch to low or standard option with FEHB? A. That’s something you’ll have to figure out for yourself. To do that, you’ll need to compare the coverage under each option with what Tricare offers. However, I’ve been told by others in your situation that electing a lower level of coverage…
Q. I am a CSRS employee and plan to retire March 29. 1. Will I be on the annuity roll for my first check on April 1 or May 1? 2. Will I incur a reduction in my annuity because of the retirement date? 3. I will turn 65 in April, so I will be eligible for Medicare. I have had Federal Employees Health Benefits for four years, and I am Tricare-eligible. I am aware that my time with Tricare will count toward my five years and that I can suspend my FEHB and go with Medicare/Tricare for Life. What…
Q. I am a federal employee and am going on active-duty orders for more than 30 days, which makes me eligible for Tricare for 180 days before my deployment, during my deployment and 180 days after my deployment. Can I suspend my FEHB during that period or just the time that I am on orders for? A. Yes. See www.opm.gov/insure/health/eligibility/tricare.asp.
Q. I am a CSRS employee with 34 years of federal service. I am going to retire in 2013. If I suspend my Federal Employees Health Benefits to go under my husband’s Tricare, will I still be able to reinstate my FEHB any time I want during an open season after I become an annuitant? Also, will I still be able to join the long-term federal health insurance plan? A. Yes to both questions. If you suspend your coverage to be under Tricare, you can re-enroll in the FEHB program during any open season. You can enroll in the Federal…