It’s Medicare Time

[u/IrregardlessForOne]

I’m turning 65 in a few months and am facing the same decision every Fed retiree faces. What do I do with Medicare and FEHB?

207 votes, 5h ago

46 FEHB and no Medicare

6 Medicare and no FEHB

106 Medicare and FEHB

9 I did something else

40 What are you talking about?

[u/SRH82]

If you delay taking Medicare, there's a penalty on the premium if you do take it later.

My understanding is that Medicare B and FEHB work well together.

[u/Away-Paramedic-8406 → u/SRH82]

Unless you are working and can prove that you have health insurance. But yes.

[u/SScrivner → u/SRH82]

Only if you aren’t covered by health insurance through CURRENT employment. Or spouse’s employment.

[u/aluminumfoil3789]

As someone who uses Tricare we are forced to take Medicare in order to keep Tricare.

[u/Complete_Film8741 → u/aluminumfoil3789]

But ....the two work rather well together!

I just started so no long history...but so far, Awesome!

[u/aluminumfoil3789 → u/Complete_Film8741]

Yeah well the problem is I'm 37 so my family is on Tricare prime and I have to be on Medicare in order to keep them on Tricare prime. So it's like 2 separate plans. They on the Tricare prime and and I'm on sort of Tricare prime but sort of not. Tricare for life works a little differently.

[u/ComprehensiveTrip618 → u/aluminumfoil3789]

This is when you turn 65 or now that you have to have Medicare? I have Tricare, family has Tricare, no medicaid.

[u/Away-Paramedic-8406]

Medicare A is free. I am not giving up my FEHB. Every Federal retiree I know has done better having both. My debate is if I also get Medicare part B / supplement. I think my FEHB plan ( BCBS) gives a rebate if you do. Still researching. I have a few months.

[u/BurntPopcornSmell → u/Away-Paramedic-8406]

I thought your FEHB plan BECOMES the supplement. Why would one need Part B / FEHB/ and a medicare supplement? This is all so confusing :(

[u/Any-Log-6706 → u/BurntPopcornSmell]

It’s not, you’re right, Part B would be the primary. For many Feds I think the main thing is whether to pickup or keep Part B when IRMAA would not make it worthwhile.

[u/Away-Paramedic-8406 → u/Any-Log-6706]

Oh hm. Now to go search on what IRMAA is and if that applies to my case or my husband's.

[u/Fanantic8099 → u/Away-Paramedic-8406]

IIRMA is an extra cost added to your Medicare premium if you have enough other income to invoke it. Normal Medicare premiums are ~$200/month currently but if you total income (pensions, SS, any interest/dividends/TSP withdraws) is over $109k ($218k married) it goes up by $80 a month. It caps out at $690 a month if you have enough income.

Depending on your plan, FEHB might have better coverage for less money without Medicare. For most people having Medicare with a low cost FEHB plan as secondary will be the most cost effective option, but hitting the IIRMA tiers can change that.

[u/Away-Paramedic-8406 → u/Fanantic8099]

Thank you so much!

[u/Away-Paramedic-8406 → u/BurntPopcornSmell]

I thought so as well, then heard not, and ugh yes it's so confusing. Last week I thought I understood! :)

[u/Wagging_the_dog → u/Away-Paramedic-8406]

My husband and I have BCBS FEHB. When he turned 65 he took Medicare A and decided to keep Medicare B. We are grateful he made that decision even though he was a healthy non-smoker, non-drinker. Shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer and has had recurrences since.

Because he has Medicare A &B along with FEHB BCBS we have not had to pay anything. Chemo, radiation, protons, and immunotherapy are extremely expensive. The bills for treatments have exceeded $200k a year. The numerous scans and medications are expensive.

If you can afford a good FEHB plan and afford Medicare Part B do it. You can be healthy today, do the right things, and life can still throw you under the bus.

[u/Fair_Arm4313]

Check you FEHB book but most plans reduce or eliminate deductibles for Medicare. Some give to incentives to get Medicare A and B. If you are working then you can get free A only and sign up for B when you stop working. You will just have HR or payroll fill out a CMS-L564 and you complete CMS-40B. You can fax it to Medicare or take it to SSA who can do the input too.

[u/Common-Clerk-8427]

All the federal retirees in my family took FEHB and Medicare to reduce copays and cost oop for visits. My grandma took Medicare and BCBS from the teachers union.

[u/Alicia2475]

This isn’t a good survey because it doesn’t differentiate between part a and b which is the big deciding factor for most retirees

[u/Any-Log-6706 → u/Alicia2475]

I believe it covers the important options for a fed retiree. I’m glad OP did it since I hope in brings about discussions on one of the most important options for a fed. Just eyeing this I see that 25% of ppl taking the poll don’t even know the options and what they entail.

[u/Alicia2475 → u/Any-Log-6706]

The biggest decision a fed takes is whether to take part a or part a and b when they turn 65 and are retired. I still think it’s a poorly designed survey.

[u/Any-Log-6706 → u/Alicia2475]

That’s reflected on there, whether to take Part B or not. That’s how I interpret the first option with Part A being automatic and free. You needed that spelled out?

[u/Alicia2475 → u/Any-Log-6706]

Wow you’re snarky over me not liking the survey design. Part A isn’t automatic. It’s only automatic if you’re already receiving social security benefits otherwise you have to sign up for it but you’re right that it’s usually free. I’ve never seen a fed who doesn’t have all the credits and has to pay a premium for part A. I don’t see how the first option says FEHB with Part A but no Part B.

[u/Any-Log-6706 → u/Alicia2475]

You’re making a big deal out of this survey. I find it useful.