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Thread: FEHB and Medicare ?

  1. #13

    Default Re: FEHB and Medicare ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Stoplight View Post
    Kportra,

    Thanks for weighing in !

    This is something I have never heard of before...can you steer us to a link to support how this works ????


    Stoplight...
    Here is the BC/BS link to claim the benefit. https://www.fepblue.org/benefit-plan...sement-account
    It's also described in their brochure. I think GEHA High offers it, but not GEHA standard. I haven't really looked at others. My husband went on Medicare B last July and got the $600 payment after 5 months (after he had paid at least $600 in premiums). Since I'm still working he doesn't have to carry part B and will drop it after his next knee replacement is done this Spring.

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  3. #14

    Default Re: FEHB and Medicare ?

    Yes, at least I know GEHA Single +1 High Deductible has the $600 Medicare part B refund. Just started for 2020, though.

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  5. #15

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    Default Re: FEHB and Medicare ?

    For BCBS go to participant.wageworks.com and create an account. If you have a claim for 2018 you have until the end of this month to submit. As stated they reimburse $600. You will need to send them a copy of proof of payment. This can be done on line with a pdf file.

    PO

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  7. #16

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    Default Re: FEHB and Medicare ?

    Yeah, I just got my 600 clams the other day, straight to the vault! I kept BC/BS and took Medicare A & B. Next year the refund for overlapping coverage will go to $800. I go to the doctor, it costs me nothing.

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  9. #17

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    Default Re: FEHB and Medicare ?

    Sorry folks I was on vacation when this thread was started and I just started reading it now. Hopefully everyone understands how Medicare Part "B" works.

    If you are employed and have health insurance through your employer then you do not have to pick up Part "B" and it is deferred until at which time you no longer have employer offered health insurance. At that time you can pick up Part "B" with NO PENALTIES.

    As a retired Federal employee and the only insurance you have is an FEHB health plan it does not count as an employer health plan. So down the road you decide to enroll on Part "B" you will be PENALIZED a 10% increase per year that you did not have Part "B" when you were eligible. That penalty is accumulative. So you wait 5 years and decide enroll in Part "B" that will be a 50% increase in the current cost of Medicare
    Part "B".
    May the force be with us.

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  11. #18

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    Default Re: FEHB and Medicare ?

    Quote Originally Posted by jimijr View Post
    Yeah, I just got my 600 clams the other day, straight to the vault! I kept BC/BS and took Medicare A & B. Next year the refund for overlapping coverage will go to $800. I go to the doctor, it costs me nothing.
    I usually have to apply twice a year. But the wife and I both get the $600 refund.
    May the force be with us.


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  13. #19

    Default Re: FEHB and Medicare ?

    Hey, Nasa ! You Guys take another cruise ??? Welcome home, and thanks for weighing in !!!

    For those interested in this thread, I found a link on the Internet of Everything that is a pretty good summary of all the points you folks made regarding the pros and cons of Medicare Part B. You can find it here :


    https://www.checkbook.org/newhig2/year20/advice/should-federal-annuitants-enroll-in-medicare-part-b-after-age-65


    Again, thanks to all who shared their knowledge and strategies ! I'm gonna dust off my copy of Excel and crunch some numbers for my situation, just for fun...


    Stoplight...
    "Too old to rock and roll...too young to die"... - I. Anderson

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  15. #20

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    Default Re: FEHB and Medicare ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Stoplight View Post
    Hey, Nasa ! You Guys take another cruise ??? Welcome home, and thanks for weighing in !!!

    Stoplight...
    Yeah, we took another cruise. 2 week Western Caribbean on a brand new ship, the Sky Princess. We have 4 cruises booked for 2020. Taking the whole family in November.
    May the force be with us.

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  17. #21

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    Default Re: FEHB and Medicare ?

    Interesting article Stoplight, thanks.
    May the force be with us.

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  19. #22

    Default Re: FEHB and Medicare ?

    Quote Originally Posted by nasa1974 View Post
    Yeah, we took another cruise. 2 week Western Caribbean on a brand new ship, the Sky Princess. We have 4 cruises booked for 2020. Taking the whole family in November.

    Nasa,

    Dang ! You're a crusin' fool !!!

    Trying to talk the Wife into a cruise to China, but looks like we may do one to Scandinavia and Russia instead...

    ...or maybe I'll buy a new truck !!!


    Stoplight...
    "Too old to rock and roll...too young to die"... - I. Anderson

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  21. #23

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    Default Re: FEHB and Medicare ?

    Quote Originally Posted by Stoplight View Post
    Nasa,

    Dang ! You're a crusin' fool !!!

    Trying to talk the Wife into a cruise to China, but looks like we may do one to Scandinavia and Russia instead...

    ...or maybe I'll buy a new truck !!!


    Stoplight...
    LOL. Friends of ours did the Scandinavia and Russia cruise and really enjoyed it.

    You got to remember, what ever keeps the wife happy. "Happy wife happy life."
    May the force be with us.

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  23. #24

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    Default Re: FEHB and Medicare ?

    [QUOTE=Stoplight;629964]Tony,

    So I hit the magical age 65 next year ! That raises the issue of Medicare for me. Google gives me all kinds of links to contradicting advice !

    Do you have a definitive answer to (or link to the definitive answer to !) the question(s) :

    Do I :
    1. Drop FEHB and buy Part B and Part D or an Advantage Plan ?
    2. Do I keep FEHB (currently BC/BC Basic Option, Self) and not take Part B ? (Is that even an option ?)
    3. Do I keep FEHB and pay for Part B also ? (I know you DON'T take Part D if you keep FEHB)

    I've seen this discussed many times, in bits and pieces, all over this board, but I'm looking for a clear, concise discussion of the pros and cons...

    FWIW : I'm a regular FERS retiree ; collecting SS since age 62 ; no outside income and reductions to worry about (I'm pretty darn lazy !) ; no VA or TRICARE or anything like that ; Wife has her own healthcare coverage through her Teacher retirement

    Any comments or links appreciated !

    Stoplight. First my profound apology for not answering sooner. I'm still learning how to use this forum. Now to your questions.
    1. If you're planning to depend on Medicare for the rest of your life, then you might as well sign up when you first become eligible. There are higher "premiums" imposed if you wait and those last forever. I've now been under Medicare for 13 years and while the cost of Part B goes up every year, i've never had an issue with a provider. And I've had more providers than I can count.

    2. I'm no authority on FEHB. So don't expect any comments from me on how that works. I personally have Part D though I've made a point to shop around at the end of every year as my meds change and some providers are more favorable than others depending on what Rx you are taking.

    3. I'm beginning to think from your comments that FEHB is similar to an Advantage Plan. These are a regulatory sop to the health insurance industry that for the most part, includes stuff that you may or may not ever need. But that provides an incentive for insurance companies to market them aggressively to benefit their bottom line. As a licensed insurance agent for some 45 years, I have a very cynical view of these companies.

    My wife and I also have a medigap policy each. However, there is talk that Congress is going to phase them out of existence. I have no idea why except as another sop to the insurance industry by pushing more people into Advantage plans. I have no need for dental and vision coverage so why do I have to pay for that.

    Good luck. Tony

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