medicare suplements and federal retires who have bcbs

Any federal annuitant 65 and older enrolled in a fee-for-service (FFS) plan such as Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), GEHA, or Mail Handlers should seriously consider enrolling in Medicare Part B. Medicare Part B enrollment and one’s FFS plan may combine to provide almost complete coverage for all medical expenses.

Full Answer

Is Blue Cross and blue shield good for retirees?

together for you. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan is the number one choice of federal retirees in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. For 60 years, we’ve been covering federal employees and retirees.

Should federal retirees take Medicare Part B?

Should Federal Retirees Take Medicare Part B? Whether or not to enroll in Part B is a key decision that enrollees must make, most typically at age 65 or upon retirement, whichever comes later.

Who is eligible for Medicare Part A and B?

Medicare Parts A and B are called the “original” Medicare. Federal employees are eligible for Part A if they, or their spouse, worked in a Medicare Part A-covered employment for at least 10 years (40 credits), are 65 years or older, and are a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.

When to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B for retirement?

Example 1. Larry retired from federal service on Jan. 3, 2019 and will become age 65 in July 2019. Larry is enrolled in FEHB and will be throughout his retirement. Larry needs to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B between April 1, 2019 and Oct. 31, 2019 in order to avoid paying a late enrollment penalty for Part B. Example 2.

Do feds need Medicare when they already have FEHB?

The answer: yes! FEHB coverage is comparable to Medicare coverage. Therefore, beneficiaries in the federal program may delay joining a Part D plan; likewise, they're exempt from any Part D late enrollment penalties. The federal employee plans often include prescription drug benefits, although drug coverage may vary.

Is Blue Cross federal primary to Medicare?

Usually if you're retired, Medicare is primary. If you're still actively working, we're your primary coverage.

How Medicare works with FEHB plans?

Since you are retired but covered under your working spouse's policy, your spouse's policy is your primary coverage. Medicare will pay secondary benefits and your FEHB plan will pay third.

Is Fepblue the same as BCBS?

Washington – Today the Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Government-wide Service Benefit Plan, also known as the Federal Employee Program® (FEP®), introduced FEP Blue FocusSM, a new coverage option for the federal workforce and retirees in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program.

Do federal retirees with FEHB need Medicare Part B?

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 plan.

Is Medicare primary or secondary to FEHB?

your FEHB plan is the primary payer of health benefits expenses and Medicare is the secondary payer if you are employed in the federal service; Medicare is the primary payer and FEHB is the secondary payer if you are not employed in the federal service.

Does FEHB have Medicare supplement plans?

Healthcare & Insurance Healthcare However, FEHB plans and options will supplement Medicare by paying for costs not covered by Medicare, such as the required deductibles and coinsurance, and by providing additional benefits not provided under Medicare A and B, such as prescription drugs.

Do most federal retirees enroll in Medicare Part B?

About 70% of federal retirees enroll in Part B, which means paying two premiums and in essence two duplicative insurance programs. A portion of the retirees that join Part B might do so as a hedge against the elimination of FEHB retiree benefits.

Can federal retirees get Medicare Advantage plans?

Federal retirees have Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to consider joining. Our analysis shows that some of these offerings are an outstanding value.

Is FEP the same as FEHB?

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan, also known as the Federal Employee Program® (FEP®), has been part of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program since its inception in 1960.

Which is better BCBS standard or basic?

Both Standard Option and Basic Option offer some level of dental benefits. Basic Option provides coverage for preventive dental care services only, while Standard Option provides coverage for preventive dental care and some other non-routine services.

What is Anthem BCBS FEP?

For 60 years, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan, also known as the Federal Employee Program—or simply FEP—has provided health insurance to the federal employee workforce. We are proud to have been part of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program since its inception in 1960.

What is MHBP for mail?

The Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP) has been around for federal and postal employees for over 50 years. They have a few plan options, including Self Only, Self Plus One, and Self and Family. It’s best to have MHBP and Medicare.

Can you cancel tricare for life?

Federal employees can’t suspend coverage; but, you can cancel and choose TRICARE For Life instead. And, if you lose TRICARE involuntarily, you can immediately re-enroll in FEHB. Further, if you choose to dis-enroll from TRICARE, you can still re-enroll in FEHB.

Can you forego Medicare Part D?

How the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and Medicare Part D Works. You can forego Part D since the FEHB is creditable drug coverage. With your FEHB plan, drug benefits may be broad. You’ll want Part D coverage if your prescriptions aren’t on the FEHB formulary. Part D pays primarily for medications.

Can you suspend FEHB?

With that said, you may be able to suspend your FEHB. If you choose to return to your FEHB plan, you can re-enroll during Open Season.

Can you keep Medicare and FEHB?

Retired and active federal employees with FEHB and Medicare often wonder if they can keep both. The short answer is yes! FEHB benefits cover inpatient and outpatient services, just like Medicare, but each program is different. Here’s a breakdown of what both programs cover.

Is it mandatory to take Part B?

The Federal Health Benefits Program provides high-quality coverage. It’s not mandatory to take Part B when you have FEHB benefits, but you have the option. Upon retirement, individuals who delay enrolling in Part B face late enrollment penalties.

Can you enroll in Part B right away?

There are many benefits to enrolling in Part B right away. For example, several FEHB plans waive copayments and deductibles when you have Part B benefits. If you’re actively working, then the Part B penalties won’t apply to you.

How much is the penalty for not enrolling in Part B?

Because there is a 10 percent per year premium penalty for not enrolling in Part B within a few months of the deadline, annuitants are under great pressure to make a decision and about 70 percent decide to enroll. It can be surmised that this is usually an “everybody does it” rather than well-calculated decision.

Does Medicare Part B pay more than the standard premium?

Some of the Medicare Part B rebates will pay slightly more than the standard Part B premium, but none come close to matching the income- tested premium. Every family’s situation is unique, but for those subject to these higher premiums, the case for enrolling in Part B is far weaker under any of the four strategies.

What is Part B in Medicare?

Part B may provide coverage for goods and services for which FEHB give zero or limited coverage. Part B allows you to seek care any health care providers in the U.S. who accepts Medicare, while FEHB policies generally restrict you to a network of participating providers. Because Medicare coordinates benefits with FEHB, ...

How to compare Medicare Advantage plans?

If you’re considering enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare prescription drug plan, you can compare plans online for free or over the phone with the help of a licensed insurance agent. Learn about the costs, coverage and benefits of plans that may be available in your area.

Is FEHB a Medicare Part A?

There is coordination of benefits between Medicare and FEHB, so the FEHB policy acts as supplemental coverage to Medicare Part A. If you wish to enroll in other types of Medicare coverage such as Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D or Medigap, you will need to be enrolled in Part A.

Can you have both Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement at the same time?

Medigap plans and Medicare Advantage plans are very different, and you cannot have both types of policies at the same time.

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescriptions?

Medicare Advantage plans provide all of the same basic benefits as Medicare Part A and Part B, and most plans also cover prescription drugs, which Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Many Medicare Advantage plans may also offer routine dental, vision and hearing coverage.

Do you have to be enrolled in Part B or Part C for Medicare Advantage?

If you wish to join a Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan that offers dental or vision coverage (which are not always included in FEHB plans), you must be enrolled in Part B.

Does Medicare pay for FEHB?

Medicare may pay for some services that your FEHB plan doesn’t cover, such as home health care, some medical equipment and supplies, and orthopedic or prosthetic devices. Your FEHB plan may pay for some services that Medicare doesn’t cover, such as annual physicals, routine dental and vision care, and emergency coverage outside of the United States.

Can you waive FEHB copays?

Some FEHB plans waive their own deductibles and copays for services that are also covered by Part B. If you don’t sign up for Part B when you retire, but need to do so at some future date — for example, if you lose FEHBP coverage or it becomes too expensive to maintain — you would be liable for Part B late penalties.

How much is Part B premium?

For you and your husband, a year of Part B premiums adds up to $2,770, meaning that if you wait a year before signing up, your premiums will be $277 a year more than they would have been otherwise. Choice 2. Take both Part B and your FEHB plan.

Do you have to take Part B if you are retired?

You are in a position that many retirees would kill for, but you still have decisions to make. While most retirees must take Part B once they or their spouse are no longer actively employed, such is not the case for federal retirees. You basically have three choices, all with pros and cons.

Is FEHB a Medigap?

This will be more expensive because you will be paying two sets of premiums, but your FEHB plan will now function as a Medigap plan for both your hospital and doctor bills, and cover your drugs as it always did.

Key Takeaways

Federal workers enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) may want to delay taking Medicare Part B if you're still working past age 65. Most federal employees and retirees enrolled in FEHBP are not required to enroll into Medicare Part D since all FEHB plans offer prescription drug coverage as good as Medicare’s drug coverage. Activity duty and retired military personnel and veterans also have special considerations for how Medicare will work with TRICARE, TRICARE for Life, and veterans' health coverage..

What is the FICA Tax? And how does it relate to Medicare Part A?

The Federal Insurance Contributions Act or FICA payroll tax helps you earn credits toward Social Security, and helps to fund Medicare Part A and Social Security. Prior to 1983, federal government employees were exempt from contributing toward the Part A, or hospital insurance portion, of FICA.

Medicare & the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)

Most federal employees participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), a type of federal health insurance available to non-military, federal government employees and retirees. FEHBP is administered through the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Expert Help to Understand Medicare Plan Options

Did you know that Medicare isn’t free, which means you need to consider plan coverage and prices before you enroll? Or that if you don’t enroll on time during your initial enrollment period, you could face a penalty? Navigating your Medicare selection needs and priorities may feel overwhelming.

What happens if you don't enroll in Medicare?

As a federal retiree, if you don’t enroll in Medicare, your FEHB plan will act as your primary insurer and won’t pay less because you qualify for Medicare.

How long before you can change your FEHB coverage?

You may want to make changes to your FEHB coverage when you are nearing Medicare eligibility, and will have the option to do this starting 30 days before you qualify for Medicare. Changes can only be made once during this window. You can also wait until FEHB Open Season to change your coverage. Back to top.

Is FEHB more generous than Medicare?

Although FEHB coverage can be more generous overall than Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare, having additional coverage may not be helpful if you can’t afford its premiums. If you qualify for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) or Medicaid, you may find your healthcare costs are lower overall if you don’t use FEHB.

Can you suspend your Medicare Advantage plan?

You can suspend your enrollment in FEHB to enroll in Medicare Advantage or other eligible coverage by contacting your agency’s retirement system, and providing them documentation that you enrolled . If you do this , you’ll be allowed to leave your Medicare Advantage plan and return to FEHB.

Does FEHB cover dental?

Conversely, FEHB plans cover emergency care received outside the United States, and this isn’t covered by Original Medicare at all – and is rarely covered by Medicare Advantage. FEHB plans may also pay for vision and dental care that’s not covered by Original Medicare and is limited in Medicare Advantage.

Is FEHB covered by Medicare?

While FEHB plans cover most of the same types of expenses that Medicare covers, FEHB plans’ coverage may be more limited than Medicare Part B when it comes to orthopedic and prosthetic devices , durable medical equipment, home healthcare, medical supplies, and chiropractic care.

Can you pay Medicare excess?

Some states don’t allow excess Medicare charges. If you live in one of these states – or you see a doctor in any state that accepts Medicare’s rate as full payment – you’d only have to pay the difference between what Medicare and your FEHB plan pay and Medicare’s rate.

What happens when you retire with Medicare?

When you retire and have Medicare, it typically becomes your primary coverage and they pay first. If you decide to combine your Medicare and Service Benefit Plan coverage, we’ll pay for covered services not covered by Medicare. When you receive care, you should show your providers both your Service Benefit Plan member ID card ...

What is the service benefit plan?

When you’re an active federal employee, the Service Benefit Plan is typically your primary coverage, which means we pay for your healthcare services first.

Does Medicare pay for its own network?

Medicare has its own network of Participating providers who accept Medicare’s assignment or payment. When you visit a provider (regardless of if they accept Medicare’s assignment), we’ll pay the difference between what Medicare pays and what you owe the provider.*.

Medicare vs. FEHB Coverage

Suspending FEHB For Medicare Plus Supplemental Coverage

• If you have Original Medicare and FEHB but want coverage through a Medicare Advantage, you’ll need to suspend your FEHB coverage. Suspending FEHB is not the same as canceling. Meaning, you can re-enroll if you decide to suspend your FEHB. However, if you enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, you will be required to cancel your FEHB. Advantage plans...

See more on medicarefaq.com

FEHB Coverage After Retirement

Mail Handlers Insurance and Medicare