Q. I’m a retired federal employee. When I turn 60 and become eligible for Tricare coverage, can I suspend my Federal Employees Health Benefits program coverage then, or do I have to wait until open season to suspend the coverage? A. Because you are a retiree, you can suspend your coverage to use Tricare at any time. Just call OPM’s Retirement Information Office at (888) 767-6738 to get the suspension form.
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Q. I am three years from CSRS retirement. I’m considering canceling my Federal Employees Health Benefits plan due to my recent enrollment in the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (a Tricare plan that does not require Medicare enrollment). The health specialist in human resources assures me that this plan counts toward being enrolled in FEHB for five years of service immediately before retirement in order to maintain eligibility to return to FEHB if necessary. All I need do is re-enroll in FEHB proper the last open season before I retire in order to actually be on FEHB on the day…
Q. My husband is going to retire early next year. He will be 65. He has been paying for self plus family Blue Cross Blue Shield since he began working for the Defense Department (BSBC 105). I am a federal FERS retiree who will not be 65 until 2013. We heard somewhere that it is not a good idea to do single BCBS but continue with the family plan even though it comes out cheaper. We also have Tricare as a secondary as my husband is a retired military officer. Please advise as to the pros and cons of single…
Q. I am making plans to retire at the end of this year. I am eligible for Tricare, and I have been enrolled in a Federal Employees Health Benefits plan or Tricare my entire career. I was enrolled in Tricare Prime last year, but I enrolled in an FEHB plan this year to be able to carry FEHB into retirement. However, I would like to “suspend” FEHB as soon after retirement as possible to take advantage of the less expensive Tricare Prime option. I am assuming I will not have to wait until open season to suspend my FEHB coverage.…
Q. I am regular full-time Civil Service CSRS employee with insurance coverage (Blue Cross/ Blue Shield) for my wife and myself. My wife is retired military with Tricare. My insurance costs me about $400 a month and I understand Tricare would cost me only about $500 a year. I want to retire next year. I’m 60 years old. Would you suggest dropping BCBS and going over to Tricare? A. I’m old enough and wise enough not to give advice. What I can tell you is that if you drop your FEHB coverage, you won’t be able to re-enroll if you…
Q. Is it within the rules to drop the Federal Employees Health Benefits plan and start Tricare Prime when I turn 60? I am an eligible National Guard retiree with 30-plus years. Tricare Prime is a fraction of the cost of my FEHB HMO. A. Yes. According to the Office of Personnel Management, Tricare- and CHAMPVA-eligible FEHB Program annuitants, survivors and former spouses may suspend their FEHB enrollments, and then return to the FEHB Program during the open season, or return to FEHB coverage immediately if they involuntarily lose this non-FEHB coverage. This allows eligible beneficiaries to avoid the expense of…
Q. If I buy back my military time, will I maintain Tricare? I am a military retiree. Also, what is the reference for you answer. A. While I know that you won’t lose any other military benefits, including Tricare, if you make a deposit for your active-duty service (even if you have to waive your military retired pay), it’s only because I have been told that by countless retired members of the military who did that. As for a reference, because it is a military benefit, you’ll have to get it from the Defense Department. I only have access to…
Q. I am a 59-year-old with 26 years with the federal government. I am a 20/20/20 former spouse also (not remarried). I have not been enrolled in a Federal Employees Health Benefits plan because I am covered under Tricare. I planning on retiring in December 2012 at age 61, with 27 years in federal service. I would like to enroll in an FEHB plan this year during open season. I would like to have the option to use Tricare until I am 65 and then be able to use my FEHB plan rather than use Tricare for Life. When I renew my…
Q. I am 52 My plan is to retire at 56 (MRA). I will have 15 years of government service. I am retired from military service with 20 years and nine months of time. My plan is to combine my military and FERS time for approximately 36 years of service. My question is this: I am covered now under Tricare. Would I keep this benefit if I combine my FERS with military service? Or would I have to sign up for FEHB? I have been told that my Tricare counts as being signed up for FEHB but I would lose…
Q. I have received a variety of different and confusing responses to this question. I am always sent to websites that are unclear. I am employed full time as a nurse with a Veterans Affairs hospital (15 years under FERS). My wife and I both have Medicare parts A and B through VA. We are both covered on FEHB with GEHA Basic and have been with FEHB for seven continuous years. We are both eligible for Tricare for Life as I am a military retiree. Tricare for Life coverage for medication is superior to GEHA, but we cannot use Tricare…