Medicare and FEHB | Do I need Part B?

If you are a federal retiree with access to Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB), you may be wondering, "Do I need Medicare Part B and FEHB?" Watch this video, as it will discuss your options when you are eligible for both Medicare and FEHB.

Medicare and FEHB resources mentioned in the video:
Enrollment

Coordination of Benefits

Additional Resources:

00:00 Introduction
00:54 FEHB Basics
01:58 FEHB Coverage
02:24 FEHB & Medicare Part A
03:13 FEHB & Medigap
03:31 Option 1
05:03 Option 2
06:09 Option 3
07:21 Medicare & FEHB Resources

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[ggjr]

Thanks for this video. It’s actually been really hard to find people covering this on YouTube and when they do they don’t cover whether it might be preferable to go straight Medicare and not use the FEHB option. If you’re in the postal service you will have to sign up for Medicare A&B so the question after that is which route to take. I think people should be sure and read the policy of the FEHB plan they’re likely to take in detail and make sure they’re okay with the benefits and cost vs Medicare and a supplement. ( You have to drop FEHB completely if you want a supplement)
Blue Cross Standard for example doesn’t coordinate with Medicare on part B drugs and only partially on skilled nursing. It does offer other coverage though such as hearing aid coverage. Its drug formulary is also a lot better than any part D plan in our area for 2024. It’s kind of a cross between a supplement and Medicare Advantage. Of course there are a lot of plans to choose from so you really want to do your research.

[NirmalaRao-nk]

We had FEHB and Medicare when we retired.Since Medicare premiums are linked to your income in retirement, it is not beneficial to have both BCBS. If your premium is more than the catastrophic limit of FEHB, it is not financially better to subscribe to both FEHB and Medicare. I cancelled our medicare.

[JanetVaughn-cmet]

Aa a postal retiree, I'm using the SEP to enroll in Medicare's part B, PENALTY FREE. Then will SUSPEND my fehb & join a 0 premium medicare advantage plan this fall during open season. There's NO WAY any plans in the new PSHBP will offer any 0 premium plans. So in essence, medicare becomes primary payers & your pshb is second & pays very little after medicare pays its share. So they pocket most of your premium & you end up paying twice the premiums for the same coverage, and unless you have a catastrophic year they benefit & you loose. I don't trust the pshb plans & since MANY carriers are NOT participating, you are left with little to choose from. That certainly relates to higher premiums, less coverage and no real benefits.

[mando]

I am 63 and have FEHB and Tricare. I don't feel like I need part B but I guess I have to get it to get Tricare for Life.

[fedgirl]

Regarding Medicare and FEHB, I have both Medicare A and B, and Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield.
During last year’s FEHB Open Season, many federal retirees were automatically enrolled in a Medicare Part D Prescription plan, overriding their plan’s prescription drug benefit. I was one of those retirees.
We did have the option to opt out, but since it was at no extra cost to me, I opted to be in it.
However, I should add that your Part D cost is income driven. Meaning, it’s no cost if your modified adjusted income is $103, 000 or less for singles, $206, 000 or less for marrieds.
If I was to go over the $103, 000 income limit, I could opt out and my FEHB Prescription Plan would take over.
My question is: Since prior to being enrolled in Part D, my BC/BS monthly premium included prescription drugs. However, now being in Medicare Part D, if it overrides my prior BC/BS prescription plan, why is my monthly BC/BS plan the same amount? It doesn’t reflect a reduction to my plan that is now not covering prescription drugs. So why am I paying a monthly BC/BS premium as if it still included a prescription drug plan?

[GracieValenti]

I really wish there was some way Boomer Benefits could be involved with FEHB recipients, their help navigating through the morass of health insurance, claims and benefits would be invaluable.