[Bavarian]

According to what I have read in NARFE magazine, the only advantage to taking Medicare B is that it would cover copays. Per NARFE, FEHP is considered good enough not to require fee if one adds Medicare B later. Medicare A is free and automatic. At least under CSRS.

Don't listen to or have any dealings with AARP, they do not like retired Feds. Join NARFE if you haven't already. Awhile back, I wrote to AARP asking them to join the fight against GPO and WPE, they repiled nastily that Feds make too much in retirement. I dropped them and have never gone back.

[bovelsky]

here is a link that might help. http://www.myfederalretirement.com/public/247.cfm

[buggyone]

As stated, Medicare Part A is free. Part B is around $110 per month. Your FEHB Blue Cross costs around $110 per month. The Blue Cross and Part B do the same things so Part B is redundant and not necessary.

With FEHB, you cannot be dropped from your health insurance for any reason except for non-payment.

[Geewiz]

Contact your personnel specialist at your old office...I will be in the same situation in 5 years....assuming we are not so demonized that the benefits we worked and paid in for don't disappear. I know that folks who worked in private industry have lost much/most of promised benefits.

Still, Feds accepted lower pay and bonuses in exchange for job security and promised benefits. For myself, I turned down several high 6 figure salary offers for security (sorry - I'm systems literate and kinda sorta gifted at figuring out systems scams and this combination offers high compensation...my half-brother is brilliant at options and he used to laugh at my salary - in our economy we award achievement...for better or worse).

Feds have nothing to apologize for....in good times they are fools and in bad times they are greedy. Ignore the critics.

Don't count on anyone to advise you except for a fed benefit specialist and even then...double check.

[784caroline]

Originally Posted by KayakerNC

Nope, no rate change from BCBS when you go on Medicare. The Fed policies have to lump everyone in the large pool, so no separate pool for Medicare and non-Medicare.
The OP can however change to a lower cost insurance, like the BCBS Basic plan, if he wants to lower his monthly costs.
Since nobody knows what the future holds, I would go with the Medicare A and B. It is, after all, insurance against really bad things happening that could wipe out you and your family. And that 10 pct yearly penalty is a real deal breaker if things go south.
Even if you stay with the BCBS Standard and Medicare, you have a whole lot of coverage for a LOT less money than retirees without the benefit of FEHB plans.
And yes, I'm a retired Fed with BCBS and Medicare.

QUESTION: If I switch from FEHB Standard to Basic...how would that effect my prescription plan...the switch would be dramatic for prescriptions!

[batman911]

I believe Medicare Part B cost is tied to your level of income. You will be penalized if you do not start it when you are 65.

[Geewiz]

Don't downgrade coverage...ever...you'll never get it back.

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by 784caroline

QUESTION: If I switch from FEHB Standard to Basic...how would that effect my prescription plan...the switch would be dramatic for prescriptions!

BCBS Basic does not include the Mail Service Pharmacy.
With mail service, many 90-day supplies cost the same as a 30 or 60-day supply, depending on the medication.
Depending on your usage, it may or may not make a big difference.

[Bavarian]

NARFE has said often, do not take the optional Part B, we have better coverage under FEHP.

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by Bavarian

NARFE has said often, do not take the optional Part B, we have better coverage under FEHP.

Really? Where/When did they say that?
(Highlights are mine)
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE)

For example, if you had a Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BC/BS) plan along with Medicare Part A and Part B, you would have little, if any, out-of-pocket expenses. BC/BS would waive your calendar-year deductibles, your co-pays and your coinsurance amounts. You would have to continue paying your full BC/BS premiums and full Medicare Part B premiums, which are $99.90 per month in 2012. You will need to look at your medical expenses and see whether you will have more than $1,200 out-of-pocket expenses each year ($99.90 x 12 months). If you do, you probably would want to pick up Part B.

You are not required to enroll in Part B immediately – you may enroll during any General Enrollment Period, which is held January-March of each year. HOWEVER, if you don’t pick up Part B at your first enrollment opportunity, you will be charged a 10 percent penalty for each 12 months that you aren’t enrolled. It may make financial sense to wait a few years until you enroll. However, if you wait too many years, you might not be able to afford it.

[2BNTV]

Original posts is 4/12/12 so the original poster is past their enrollment period.

I believe it is an eight month window to sign-up for Part B as part A, you are automatically enrolled in at 65. It sounds like the OP should get a Medicare Advantage Plan as they indicate they are healthy. To do without insurance is pure folly as one never knows when they might get sick and need it.

It seems like this person would be duplicating their coverage and doesn't sound cost effective. However, I would check to see if their federal plan would pick-up cost that are not covered my medicare and see if it worth keeping.

[dolpterry]

Medicare part A is free, part B is about 99 per month. If you drop BCBS then you will be without any drug coverage unless you add part D. You can go to a advantage plan that includes all but will have to drop ferderal BCBS. Or you can keep regular medicare as your primary and BCBS as secondary but it will not go down.

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by buggyone

As stated, Medicare Part A is free. Part B is around $110 per month. Your FEHB Blue Cross costs around $110 per month. The Blue Cross and Part B do the same things so Part B is redundant and not necessary.

With FEHB, you cannot be dropped from your health insurance for any reason except for non-payment.

Where do you find $110/mo for FEHB BCBS Standard option 105? I pay $430 a month for my wife and I. Must buy family plan as no Self +1 like FEDIV.

Were you Postal Employee? I know their's is cheaper than us DOD retirees?

[2BNTV]

In CT, when I first started to pay part B it was $115 and now is $105. Plus I pay an additional $20 to my AARP Medicare Complete carrier. It is worth it because it includes drug coverage and I get to see my regular doctors.

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by Bavarian

Were you Postal Employee? I know their's is cheaper than us DOD retirees?

FEHB rates are the same for RETIRED DoD and USPS folks.