Thread: nasa1974's Account Talk

Originally Posted by nasa1974

2moryrs,

Thanks for the advice. I have been told by others to suspend not cancel FEHB, if I go that direction. Since I have to keep BCBS at least one more year I plan to go from standard to basic during open season, that should save me a few dollars and not affect any of our doctors. My wife will apply for Medicare early next year so then I have to look at best cost vs. coverage. Will it be cheaper to keep BCBS basic + Medicare Plan B for both of us and try and pick up dental and eye care or go the Advantage/Supplemental direction. Not planning on starting up Social Security for another 2-3 years for both of us. I figure I need to have everything figured out by open season 2018.

Just saw this mention of changing from standard to basic BCBS coverage. I switched to basic from standard this past open season and couldn't be more pleased. My co-pay amount increased by a few bucks for some office visits, and I'm out of pocket a little more on prescriptions. But, with no deductible, and a monthly savings of over $150.00 I don't see any downside to moving to the basic option.
Just thought I'd share that with you.
Good luck.

I've been on basic with a family for 15 years and could never understand why anyone would be on standard...everyone takes BCBS so no one is ever out of network except for dentists...no deductible and way cheaper monthly costs. When my wife got cancer we did hit our 7K annual limit for two years so maybe that would have been cheaper to be on standard at that point but I dont know.

Originally Posted by kb9nvh

I've been on basic with a family for 15 years and could never understand why anyone would be on standard...everyone takes BCBS so no one is ever out of network except for dentists...no deductible and way cheaper monthly costs. When my wife got cancer we did hit our 7K annual limit for two years so maybe that would have been cheaper to be on standard at that point but I dont know.

I stayed with the standard because of the mail-in prescriptions where the basic only had pharmacy pick-up.
Sorry to hear about your wife's cancer. I hope everything is OK.

Originally Posted by RazorCat

Just saw this mention of changing from standard to basic BCBS coverage. I switched to basic from standard this past open season and couldn't be more pleased. My co-pay amount increased by a few bucks for some office visits, and I'm out of pocket a little more on prescriptions. But, with no deductible, and a monthly savings of over $150.00 I don't see any downside to moving to the basic option.
Just thought I'd share that with you.
Good luck.

Now that I have signed up for Medicare the Basic BCBS will be the better way to go. I'll just have to wait for open season this year to switch. The difference in cost will cover my Part "B" plus I still have the mail-in (internet) option for my prescriptions. It also looks like staying with FEHB BCBS will be a little cheaper than going with a Plan "C" supplemental also.

Just went 50/50 "CS". Still have one more IFT if needed. Ready with 2 IFT's for May. Up 5K from my move to 100% "I" on 3/24. Fingers crossed for todays closing numbers.

Dang!! Made my move one day to early.

Originally Posted by nasa1974

2moryrs,

Thanks for the advice. I have been told by others to suspend not cancel FEHB, if I go that direction. Since I have to keep BCBS at least one more year I plan to go from standard to basic during open season, that should save me a few dollars and not affect any of our doctors. My wife will apply for Medicare early next year so then I have to look at best cost vs. coverage. Will it be cheaper to keep BCBS basic + Medicare Plan B for both of us and try and pick up dental and eye care or go the Advantage/Supplemental direction. Not planning on starting up Social Security for another 2-3 years for both of us. I figure I need to have everything figured out by open season 2018.

Nasa, Just finished making this decision. Kept FEHB Standard because my wife is younger than I am and won't have Medicare for a few years and picked up Medicare and Parts A and B. Spoke with Medicare advisor who was close to making the same decision who told me she couldn't give me advice but she did remind me that I could always drop Part B if I didn't like it but there was a 10% penalty for each year you didn't sign up when eligible. So far I am pleased with the decision but everyone has different circumstances so it is a personal choice. Good luck with your decision. Let us know how it works out!

Originally Posted by Scout333

Nasa, Just finished making this decision. Kept FEHB Standard because my wife is younger than I am and won't have Medicare for a few years and picked up Medicare and Parts A and B. Spoke with Medicare advisor who was close to making the same decision who told me she couldn't give me advice but she did remind me that I could always drop Part B if I didn't like it but there was a 10% penalty for each year you didn't sign up when eligible. So far I am pleased with the decision but everyone has different circumstances so it is a personal choice. Good luck with your decision. Let us know how it works out!

New Article about Part B. https://federalnewsradio.com/mike-ca...dicare-part-b/

So why standard instead of basic again? Specifica medical needs or what is the advantage since basic has no deductible (just co pays). Monthly prescriptions I guess?

Originally Posted by kb9nvh

So why standard instead of basic again? Specifica medical needs or what is the advantage since basic has no deductible (just co pays). Monthly prescriptions I guess?

I don't have co pays with Medicare and BCBS Basic!!

Great discussion !!!

Although I just got my very first SS check, I've been struggling with what to do with the Wife hitting Medicare next month ! But that's a whole 'nother story !!! She's NOT on my FEHB...

I had a primary care Doc appointment a couple of days ago...I have FEHB BC/BS Basic...no HMO crap !!! Got to talking with him about Medicare...asked him if he took it, for my Wife's situation....said he does !!! That's good news ! No change of Doctors !!!

Also mentioned to him that I was gonna have to make that decision in a couple of years...asked him about his recommendation...his Dad is also a retired Fed ! He said...."OMG !!! KEEP your FEHB !!! That's a no-brainer !!! My Dad pays almost nothing for his health care !!!"

Just saying....

BTW..Thanks, Nasa, for letting us exchange thoughts in your thread !!!



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