[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Jim M

I have the same questions. My concern has been finding Drs who will accept FEHB BC/BS here. I don’t want to be restricted by Medicare pre approval requirements that I don’t currently have. I had two big issues in the last few years, broken leg and pneumonia only paid $350 deductible for each.

So far, I have never been rejected by a provider because I have FEHB and not Medicare. Most providers seem to like it that I have FEHB insirance.

[mfodale]

I am a Federal retiree and I have both Medicare Part B and Aetna (better deal than BCBS, look into it). IMO, you would be a fool NOT to take Part B. You'll never have another deductible, copay or other out of pocket expense as long as you live. And keep in mind, you may be healthy now, but, odds are you won't be, at some point. I had about $15,000 on tests and treatments last year; I paid $0. And, all my prescriptions (6 of them) are at no cost to me. I have a buddy whose wife has been sick, ulcerative colitis. Hundreds of thousands in bills, including hospital stay (which of course is covered by Medicare A) and he paid $0. And, you could decide to delay taking Part B, but in doing so, you will pay a penalty for the remainder of your coverage years in addition to your premium. But, it's your choice. Choose wisely. Medical bills and bad luck can bankrupt you otherwise.

[RICH1]

After Reading the comments I feel blessed to have the Humana Advantage plan PPO and pay no copayment for Drs visits … had my gall bladder removed and payed the hospital my 120 copayment! Traveling around the country at ease knowing I’m covered is a blessing. You seem perplexed but didn’t you discuss this with a Rep before your Exit Interview?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by mfodale

I am a Federal retiree and I have both Medicare Part B and Aetna (better deal than BCBS, look into it). IMO, you would be a fool NOT to take Part B. You'll never have another deductible, copay or other out of pocket expense as long as you live. And keep in mind, you may be healthy now, but, odds are you won't be, at some point. I had about $15,000 on tests and treatments last year; I paid $0. And, all my prescriptions (6 of them) are at no cost to me. I have a buddy whose wife has been sick, ulcerative colitis. Hundreds of thousands in bills, including hospital stay (which of course is covered by Medicare A) and he paid $0. And, you could decide to delay taking Part B, but in doing so, you will pay a penalty for the remainder of your coverage years in addition to your premium. But, it's your choice. Choose wisely. Medical bills and bad luck can bankrupt you otherwise.

You need to do the math and compare the extra cost for the Medicare premiums to the actual cost benefit it provides on an annual basis, especially if you are subject to IRMAA. But, your comment about hundreds of thousands in bills is irrelevant because almost every FEHB plan has an annual catastrophic limit for out-of-pocket expenses. The Blue Cross limit is $6,000. If it were not for the catastrophic limit, I would agree that you should buy Medicare Part B. In my case, I would be throwing money away to buy Medicare. That would be foolish.

[JeanC]

My mom had Medicare A and B as primary and her Federal BCBS as secondary. Now I can’t tell you how much this cost her on a monthly basis but it was no hardship on her. What it did do for her was insure that she never paid a penny for her healthcare. And her later years that was a A LOt. It was always comforting knowing that having these two plans allowed her to go to ANY doctor or facility. And she never had to think twice about having any medical services performed because of Costs.

[jump4]

FEHB offers several plans that integrate with Medicare, including:

FEHB Plans for Medicare:
• Aetna for retirees AetnaFeds.com

Aetna® Medicare Advantage Welcome Federal Employees | Aetna Medicare Advantage

Aetna Direct Welcome Federal Employees | Aetna Direct

• UnitedHealthcare “Retiree Advantage” Plan Details

• Humana Group Medicare Advantage plan will be a subset plan of the Value Plan (CS2887) Feds

• Blue Cross Preparing for Medicare - Blue Cross and Blue Shield's Federal Employee Program

[nn0wheremann]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

I'll soon be a Federal Retiree. The Fed Gov allows me to take my BC/BS plan into retirement- So I'll have private insurance

My BC/BS plan will reimburse me $800 in Part B premiums per year if I take Part B

I'm aware Part A is mandatory- but Part B is elective.

I go to the doctor quite a lot- regular doctor and specialists. What does Part B cover/pay for?... do they cover cover co-pays for doctor visits and urgent care visits?

I will be paying about $40 for all office visits. If Part B covers these it will be worth it.

Bottom line- I'm hoping to find out what Part B pays for and if people here who have private insurance find Part B worth the expense of premiums.

Thanks!

Yes, do it. Medicare assignment rules protect you from out of network overcharges.

[Byte1]

I have Fed BC/BS basic and Medicare part A only. If I use the VA for my medical needs, I pay no copay other than $8 for a 30 prescription. When I had a $22K surgery, I paid $120 copay using BC/BS. My wife's medicine doesn't exceed a hundred bucks a month so we probably save about $300 a month by NOT having Part B. I am sure that everyone is different and may or may not save money by having part B medicare. I have to admit that Florida Blue has been a pain in the *** to deal with, compared to where I was located before I came to Florida. If I had to pay the total premium for BC, I would not have it and would definitely go Medicare A,B and C or D or F, whatever gives me the prescription plan. There is no way that I would pay the total monthly premium for BC/BS.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by nn0wheremann

Yes, do it. Medicare assignment rules protect you from out of network overcharges.

Not if the out-of-network provider has opted out of Medicare entirely. A provider can opt out and charge whatever they want.

[Artesians]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

My BC/BS plan will reimburse each of us $800 per year for part B ($1,600) so about half. I don't intend to give up my BC/BS I'm simply wondering if Part B pays for doctor visit co-pays. If it does it may be worth it in my particular case to get Part B.

Have done the same and I don’t have to pay co-pays.

[SophieP]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

I'll soon be a Federal Retiree. The Fed Gov allows me to take my BC/BS plan into retirement- So I'll have private insurance

My BC/BS plan will reimburse me $800 in Part B premiums per year if I take Part B

I'm aware Part A is mandatory- but Part B is elective.

I go to the doctor quite a lot- regular doctor and specialists. What does Part B cover/pay for?... do they cover cover co-pays for doctor visits and urgent care visits?



I will be paying about $40 for all office visits. If Part B covers these it will be worth it.

Bottom line- I'm hoping to find out what Part B pays for and if people here who have private insurance find Part B worth the expense of premiums.

Thanks!

We have had several hundred thousand in charges from hospitals and doctors including urgent care over the years and never a co-pay!

[larcha]

"Federal Retirement" recently presented a series of Medicare columns. Those employees who are within five years of retirement eligibility and current federal retirees are highly encouraged to read each of those columns in order to get a better understanding of how FEHB program health plans coordinate with Medicare. Federal retirees who enroll in Medicare can save thousands of dollars during their retirement by being enrolled in both Medicare and an FEHB health plan considered to be a Medicare supplemental plan. Federal retirees who enroll in Medicare do not have to purchase a private Medicare supplemental plan or a Medigap plan.

myfederalretirement.com

[Samcat13]

Call Pat. 352-348-7148. One of the best Medicare Agents in The Villages. She even makes house calls. She will explain all of your options.

[Samcat13]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

I'll soon be a Federal Retiree. The Fed Gov allows me to take my BC/BS plan into retirement- So I'll have private insurance

My BC/BS plan will reimburse me $800 in Part B premiums per year if I take Part B

I'm aware Part A is mandatory- but Part B is elective.

I go to the doctor quite a lot- regular doctor and specialists. What does Part B cover/pay for?... do they cover cover co-pays for doctor visits and urgent care visits?

I will be paying about $40 for all office visits. If Part B covers these it will be worth it.

Bottom line- I'm hoping to find out what Part B pays for and if people here who have private insurance find Part B worth the expense of premiums.

Thanks!

Call Pat. 352-348-7148. One of the best Medicare Agents in The Villages. She even makes house calls. She will explain all of your options.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by larcha

"Federal Retirement" recently presented a series of Medicare columns. Those employees who are within five years of retirement eligibility and current federal retirees are highly encouraged to read each of those columns in order to get a better understanding of how FEHB program health plans coordinate with Medicare. Federal retirees who enroll in Medicare can save thousands of dollars during their retirement by being enrolled in both Medicare and an FEHB health plan considered to be a Medicare supplemental plan. Federal retirees who enroll in Medicare do not have to purchase a private Medicare supplemental plan or a Medigap plan.

myfederalretirement.com

Some Federal retirees can save thousands, but most do not.

I would point out that the companies that sell the FEHB insurance plans are in business to make money. They want retirees to sign up for Medicare because it saves them a lot of money in claim payments. In fact, they would like the Federal Government to require retirees to have Medicare, like many private companies do. That is why they offer rebates and other benefits to encourage retirees to have Medicare. But those benefits are calculated to benefit the insurance company, not the retiree. That is why it is important to calculate the cost and benefits for your particular situation.