Medicare Question

[camper65]

I'm 66 this month.
Is there any good reason to pick up on part "B" if I'm intending to carry over my FEHB when I retire?

[ssafed]

Check OPM website at www.opm.gov (http://www.opm.gov) & select "retirees" page; type in "medicare part b" in top search box for various references about FEHB & medicare. The Q&A below is copied from there. Since FEHB plans vary, you want to check how the FEHB plan you have coordinates with Medicare. Your FEHB plan website probably has a section on coordination with Medicare since my FEHB BC plan does. I have standard Blue Cross plan and I couldn't see any advantage to my taking Part B so I enrolled for the Part A only. Hope this helps!

Q. Do I Have to Take Part B Coverage?


A. You don't have to take Part B coverage if you don't want it, and your FEHB plan can't require you to take it. There are some advantages to enrolling in Part B:

You must be enrolled in Parts A and B to join a Medicare Advantage (https://www.opm.gov/insure/health/medicare/medicare05.asp#Choice) plan.
You have the advantage of coordination of benefits (https://www.opm.gov/insure/health/medicare/medicare05.asp#Coordination) (described later) between Medicare and your FEHB plan, reducing your out-of-pocket costs (https://www.opm.gov/insure/health/medicare/medicare05.asp#Out).
Your FEHB plan may waive its copayments (https://www.opm.gov/insure/health/medicare/medicare05.asp#Copayment), coinsurance (https://www.opm.gov/insure/health/medicare/medicare05.asp#Coinsurance), and deductibles (https://www.opm.gov/insure/health/medicare/medicare05.asp#Deductible) for Part B services.
Some services covered under Part B might not be covered or only partially covered by your plan, such as orthopedic and prosthetic devices, durable medical equipment (https://www.opm.gov/insure/health/medicare/medicare05.asp#Durable), home health care, and medical supplies (check your plan brochure for details).
You may go outside of the plan's network for Part B services and receive reimbursement by Medicare (only when Medicare is the primary (https://www.opm.gov/insure/health/medicare/medicare05.asp#Primary) payer) If you are enrolled in an FEHB HMO (https://www.opm.gov/insure/health/medicare/medicare05.asp#HMO).