Originally Posted by Rosalie (Post 966115)

Hi, It's nearly Open Season again and another Fed. Retiree and I have been discussing options---we're hoping there are other Federal retirees who we could brainstorm with as to what Plans might be a good choice. Mail Handler's and BC/BS look good. We haven't received a detailed booklet yet. After we all receive them, we're thinking it would be helpful if some of us could get together at one of the rec centers and help each other with choices. Please let me know if there is any interest.

Originally Posted by Bizdoc (Post 966167)

Before I retired, I looked very carefully at the various FEHB plans. Since we were planning to travel a great deal, I especially looked at network coverage. While the CIGNA administered plans (Mail handlers, SAMBA, and the like) had lower premiums, their networks (outside of metro areas) were not as good. GEHA seemed to have a lot of geographic holes. The FEP Blue plan basically makes every provider who is a provider for a state/regional plan a preferred provider for FEP Blue. Since we planned to travel, it provided the best coverage including during trips.

In 2012, Betsy's fall resulted in several hundred thousand dollars worth of medical bills. FEP Blue paid all but about $5K.

I'm sticking with FEP Blue. Your mileage may vary. FYI, the companies are no longer sending out brochures unless you request them.


If you travel a fair amount or (more importantly) split your time be sure to look up providers in the places where you will be. As some seasonals have noticed, their insurance company from back home may or may not work here.

Finally, a shameless plug. There is a National Active and Retired Federal Employees chapter here which meets the 2nd Wed of each month at the Golden Corral on 466. National dues are $40 per year. The monthly magazine provides all kinds of info for feds. Friendly bunch of people and excellent guest speakers.

The NARFE NY federation has a number of tools for comparing plans:

NARFE-NY

Originally Posted by Bonnevie (Post 966182)

I stick with BCBS.

Originally Posted by Bonnevie (Post 966181)

wondering what time the meetings are at Golden Corral?

Originally Posted by Bonnevie (Post 966181)

wondering what time the meetings are at Golden Corral?

Originally Posted by MikeV (Post 966190)

I have FedBlue also. I am keeping it. I also have Medicare Part A. I don't have Part B so FedBlue is my primary for non hospital care. The Villages Health System accepts.

Originally Posted by Sable99 (Post 966365)

I am new to Medicare and am so confused!! I travel so I have always had BC/BS Standard and since August I also have Medicare Part A and B. Should I keep BC/BS Standard or should I switch to the Basic plan?

Do I need Medicare Part B?

I was a Federal employee with the Senate and I am asuming our health care plan is the same as other Federal employees.

I wished I lived in TV full time so I could attend the meetings at the Golden Corral. I did call the Department on Aging here in Michigan and they told me to keep what I have.

Originally Posted by naneiben (Post 966331)

My husband and I are also under FEP BCBS. However, when he went on Medicare, we researched it and came to the decision that he should opt for Part B as well.



Since going on Medicare, he has paid zero...no copays, no deductibles, nothing. Been very smooth sailing through several surgeries.



Still, this is not cheap. I keep asking myself if taking Part B in addition to BCBS was a good decision.



Would be interested in hearing any experiences.



also, would love to come to such a meeting as proposed above.

Originally Posted by MikeV (Post 966605)

I couldn't see any benefit to FEPBLUE and Part B. I sent a copy of my Medicare card to FEPBLUE showing only Part A so FEPBLUE is still my primary provider except for hospitalization where Medicare is primary. I have had my federal health insurance for over 42 years with no problems. I may be paying more than I should since I have the high option but it is what I feel comfortable with. I just don't trust government to administer my healthcare. Paranoid maybe but I can't help it.

Originally Posted by Sable99 (Post 966720)

As I said in an erlier post on this thread, I am new to Medicare. In August, I had my yearly exams and had tests done by my doctor and the hospital. They both told me there were some new changes that became effective in July. They told me one of my standing labs would have to be re-written or it wouldn't be covered. They also told me that if Medicare denies a claim that the secondary insurances are now automatically denying the claim.

My question was (and still is) if the secondary insurance is automatically denyig the claims why do we need them? I realize that Medicare is only good in this country.

I currently have BC/BS Standard and Medicare Part A and B. But because of what the doctor and hospital told me in August I am wondering if that is a wise choice.

Originally Posted by 784caroline (Post 966731)

I may be mistaken but I think you have this backwards. If Medicare approves a charge, your secondary most likely will also approve any deductible or copay that needs to cover the entire bill. If Medicare disallows a charge, then your secondary insurance will review it for approval. I have had test or services disallowed by medicare but approved by BCBS at their rate.

Originally Posted by Sable99 (Post 966836)

That is not what the doctor and the hospital told me in August. They told me ithey are finding that if Medicare denies a claim that the secondary insurances are now automatically denying the claim. Both offices told me they started seeing this in July 2014. In October, I went to a Department on Aging Medicare briefing and she said the same thing.

Originally Posted by laceylady (Post 967039)

I am very interested in attending any meetings on this subject. We have Fed BCBS. My husband has been very ill this year. He will be 65 y/o in Nov. 2015. Fed BCBS REC'd close to $1 million in bills for him this year. We have not had any co pays since we hit the $6,000 max. in July. Fed BCBS is outstanding coverage. We will definitely keep it but are confused about whether to get Medicare Part B. I would like a clear explanation about how they work together. Reading the BCBS literature just confuses me more. My husband takes MANY medications also.

Originally Posted by laceylady (Post 967039)

I am very interested in attending any meetings on this subject. We have Fed BCBS. My husband has been very ill this year. He will be 65 y/o in Nov. 2015. Fed BCBS REC'd close to $1 million in bills for him this year. We have not had any co pays since we hit the $6,000 max. in July. Fed BCBS is outstanding coverage. We will definitely keep it but are confused about whether to get Medicare Part B. I would like a clear explanation about how they work together. Reading the BCBS literature just confuses me more. My husband takes MANY medications also.

Originally Posted by klc1923 (Post 967424)

I get the part B. But please help me understand why "standard" would be better than "basic". Other than the prescription coverage, wouldn't the deductibles, coinsurance and copays be picked up regardless of the plan you choose?

Originally Posted by Bizdoc (Post 969019)

Yes, we are one of those folks who have had huge medical bills. However, am important part of our story is not the huge bills as much as how unexpected they were. Prior to her fall, my wife had been extremely active. In her 40s and 50s, she had hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up. We spend our honeymoon hiking Acadia National Park and spent our first post-retirement trip hiking in Yellowstone.

All of that changed in a heart beat when she fell. She fractured her C-2 vertibrae and was in a coma for 3 weeks.

If you wait to add insurance coverage until a major event occurs, it is too late. (Just as waiting to look at long term care insurance until you are in your 80s and ready for a nursing home.)

Originally Posted by Bizdoc (Post 969019)

Yes, we are one of those folks who have had huge medical bills. However, am important part of our story is not the huge bills as much as how unexpected they were. Prior to her fall, my wife had been extremely active. In her 40s and 50s, she had hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up. We spend our honeymoon hiking Acadia National Park and spent our first post-retirement trip hiking in Yellowstone.

All of that changed in a heart beat when she fell. She fractured her C-2 vertibrae and was in a coma for 3 weeks.

If you wait to add insurance coverage until a major event occurs, it is too late. (Just as waiting to look at long term care insurance until you are in your 80s and ready for a nursing home.)