[garykoca427@gmail.com]

As a retired Federal employee, I say you should definitely have a Medicare supplement plan. I have Blue Cross Basic, not standard. Between Medicare and Blue Cross Basic, that covers the vast majority of my costs, and it is a lot cheaper than standard.

[BlueStarAirlines]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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.

RetiredGuy is making a lot of sense to me.

If married, FEHB for BCBS standard self plus one is $627.49 a month plus Medicare is $170.10 each (non-IRMAA) ($340.20 total) for a total of $967.69 a month or $11,612.28 a year for 2022. Thats a lot of money per month just to not have a co-pay or a deductible.

IRMAA will definitely be a factor for me, so I appreciate the discussion! I'm a few years out from having to make a decision, so good food for thought.

[Karmanng]

Go to medicare school.com to get info on the different plans. you learn alot there He also is on UTUBE........


Part B covers 2 types of services
Medically necessary services: Services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition and that meet accepted standards of medical practice.
Preventive services: Health care to prevent illness (like the flu) or detect it at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to work best.
You pay nothing for most preventive services if you get the services from a health care provider who accepts assignment.

Part B covers things like:
Clinical research
Ambulance services
Durable medical equipment (DME)
Mental health
Inpatient
Outpatient
Partial hospitalization
Limited outpatient prescription drugs

IF Dr accepts regular medicare than this kicks in also and they have to take it no matter what the plan...............IF you want to go to MAYO in Florida with a advantage plan forget it.........They only take regular medicare and supps the letter went out this week also on UTUBE advantage plans can not be that great THOSE are the ones that can deny your knee replacement and make you wait and get injections or theraphy IF thats what they suggest........NO referral needed if on regular MEDICARE OR IF you need that surgery.......Also depending on even what drugs you are using and your health records IF you want to go back to regular medicare you may never ever be able to moving forward.....You may be stuck in the Advantage plan BTW also covered in medicareschool.com or his utube channel..........buyer beware

[GATORBILL66]

Yes, I am a retired postal employee, you need to sign up for Part B within 8 months of retiring. Medicare will pay the first 80% and your government plan will cover the other 20%. I have GEHA standard option and don't pay any medical expenses. You have to sign up for Part B through Social Security. Don't be late or you will have to pay an extra 10% per year the rest of your life.

[LucyP]

Answer is Yes! Take part B. You need A and B. I’m retired Federal Employee . Blue cross With dental and eyes.

[bsloan1960]

Originally Posted by 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?

Haven't retired yet, and haven't spoken to any Rep yet- Didn't know my employer would offer advice of this type.

[jump4]

Originally Posted by BlueStarAirlines

RetiredGuy is making a lot of sense to me.

If married, FEHB for BCBS standard self plus one is $627.49 a month plus Medicare is $170.10 each (non-IRMAA) ($340.20 total) for a total of $967.69 a month or $11,612.28 a year for 2022. Thats a lot of money per month just to not have a co-pay or a deductible.

IRMAA will definitely be a factor for me, so I appreciate the discussion! I'm a few years out from having to make a decision, so good food for thought.

BC/BS is one of the most expensive plan. If you are going to have both medicare and FEHB, there are much less expensive FEHB plans that will give you the wave medicare wrap-around.

[kkingston57]

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!

Suggest talking to your BC/BS agent(Florida Blue) They are good and will meet with you in person.

[GCMartin]

You should check with the M Marion County SHINE office. They are extremely helpful. As well, I met a lady who knows the Medicare business Inside and out…Diana Johnson. 352-454-8409.

[

[BlueStarAirlines]

Originally Posted by GATORBILL66

Yes, I am a retired postal employee, you need to sign up for Part B within 8 months of retiring. Don't be late or you will have to pay an extra 10% per year the rest of your life.

This is not true for all Federal employees....only for Postal employees. There are efforts to make it applicable to all employees, but no traction on this effort so I don't expect to see this anytime soon.

[epoch]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

I go to the doctor quite a lot- regular doctor and specialists.

I am not yet on medicare, but this suggests you should get top insurance. medicare plus FEHB. compare annual medicare part B premiums to your max out-of-pocket.

if you are unsure, you could try it for a year. see how well it works, then decide to keep part B or not.

[BFISHER54]

If you do an internet search there are a number of sites, such as checkbook, that crunch the numbers. The copays and deductible are not likely to be more than the Part B premiums. I have BSBS Standard and elected not to enroll in Part B. I’ve encountered no problem with doctors accepting BCBS in and around the villages.

[bsloan1960]

Originally Posted by jump4

BC/BS is one of the most expensive plan. If you are going to have both medicare and FEHB, there are much less expensive FEHB plans that will give you the wave medicare wrap-around.

Which plans offered to Fed Gov employees are less expensive but still are as widely accepted and offer the same or better value for money as BC/BS?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

Which plans offered to Fed Gov employees are less expensive but still are as widely accepted and offer the same or better value for money as BC/BS?

A lot of people use GEHA. But I had a very sick friend who had GEHA, and they rejected an expensive drug and she had to switch to Blue Cross to get it covered.

The Blue Cross plan is probably the most popular and widely recognized FEHB plan. It has been that way for many years.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by jump4

BC/BS is one of the most expensive plan. If you are going to have both medicare and FEHB, there are much less expensive FEHB plans that will give you the wave medicare wrap-around.

Where did you get the idea that BC/BS was one of the most expensive plans? According to the plan comparison chart, BC/BS falls in the middle price-wise.

Comparing benefits, provider availability, benefits when you travel out of your area, and benefits when also covered under medicare is possibly more important than choosing by price alone.