[jnieman]

Husband has Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare. He rarely has to pay anything. It's been great.

[OCsun]

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer

We have Medicare A and B and fep blue. Are we wasting our money carrying B? Couldn't get straight answers when decision was made. Thanks for any and all advice.

If you opt-out of Medicare Part B, Federal Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans (FEHP), provide the same medical provider coverage you had prior to being eligible for Medicare. That is, you will have copays and deductibles for certain services.

If you elect Medicare Part A and Part B and take FEHP, the FEHP acts as a Medicare supplemental gap plan, paying the balance not covered by Medicare on all Medicare approved services.

Your decision should be approached on a personal level in one of two ways.

1- Determine the annual Out of Pocket expenses you incurred in the past or expect to incur in the future. Then compare those annual costs to the $104 monthly premium you are paying for Part B.
2- Consider the paid in full security that having both Medicare A&B and FEHP provides.

Either choice should be based on your personal situation.

Three months prior to my husband becoming eligible for Medicare, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Our out-of-pocket expenses were just over $5,000 for that one medical event, with FEHP and no Medicare Part B. Had he had Medicare A&B and FEHP we would not have had any out-of-pocket expenses.

I hope this information can help you make an informed decision.

[Average Guy]

Originally Posted by jnieman

Husband has Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare. He rarely has to pay anything. It's been great.

If I may ask, which Federal BC/BS option does he have - Basic or Standard? If you are like me, it is difficult to remember which is which given their names - Basic is the less expensive of the 2 options.

I will be eligible for Medicare next year and am trying to decide what to do during the upcoming Open Season for Federal Health benefits. It is always kind of a roll of the dice since you cannot be certain what your health care needs will be in the future.

[fred53]

Originally Posted by Jimturner

Same with us Mike. So far I like my care better than before obamacare. There was more FOX fear than Fact in my worries.

obamacare would effect Federal Employees health care...so the only fear was that you thought it would....

[WOODDA]

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer

We have Medicare A and B and fep blue. Are we wasting our money carrying B? Couldn't get straight answers when decision was made. Thanks for any and all advice.

I Have FEDBCBS and part A get 6 prescriptions 3 month supply usually cost me total $6 or $7 other than that I haven't paid a cent in 2 years. Even had a torn Labrum operation....

[MikeV]

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer

Mike, if you don't mind, what DO you pay for (since you don't carry B)? Still trying to make an educated decision.

I pay what every other Federal Retiree pays. Around $195/mo. Since there is no decrease if you have Medicare Part B I couldn't see the benefit of B. It should be noted that if I now sign up for B I will pay a higher premium for it. Not a great amount put still higher.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by MikeV

I pay what every other Federal Retiree pays. Around $195/mo. Since there is no decrease if you have Medicare Part B I couldn't see the benefit of B. It should be noted that if I now sign up for B I will pay a higher premium for it. Not a great amount put still higher.

We pay $462.00 per month for health insurance. Hubby was a 30 year employee of the Department of transportation. We have Blue Cross Blue Shield. The higher plan which I think is the Standard option. Plus we pay $106 per month for his Medicare.

[mixsonci]

I pay about $150/month for Federal FSBP (Foreign Service Benefit Plan) single, high option, I have Med Part A (because it's free and recommended), don't have Part B. I have a $500 yearly deductible and have paid minimal amounts out of pocket, even for an "out of network" chiropractor (after the out of network deductible). And they also cover me if I travel abroad.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by OCsun

If you opt-out of Medicare Part B, Federal Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans (FEHP), provide the same medical provider coverage you had prior to being eligible for Medicare. That is, you will have copays and deductibles for certain services.

If you elect Medicare Part A and Part B and take FEHP, the FEHP acts as a Medicare supplemental gap plan, paying the balance not covered by Medicare on all Medicare approved services.

Your decision should be approached on a personal level in one of two ways.

1- Determine the annual Out of Pocket expenses you incurred in the past or expect to incur in the future. Then compare those annual costs to the $104 monthly premium you are paying for Part B.
2- Consider the paid in full security that having both Medicare A&B and FEHP provides.

Either choice should be based on your personal situation.

Three months prior to my husband becoming eligible for Medicare, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Our out-of-pocket expenses were just over $5,000 for that one medical event, with FEHP and no Medicare Part B. Had he had Medicare A&B and FEHP we would not have had any out-of-pocket expenses.

I hope this information can help you make an informed decision.

Thank you! Your explanation is the best I've heard. We've been blessed with good health but, as we all know, that could change in a heartbeat.

[liliana42]

As of today, The Villages Health is no longer accepting regular medicare patients. And I was told by the billing department that even though this applies to new patients only, they are sending letters to let current patients know that this will be applying to them as well (though I don't know when the cutoff date is).

[Jdmiata]

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer

We have Medicare A and B and fep blue. Are we wasting our money carrying B? Couldn't get straight answers when decision was made. Thanks for any and all advice.

In my opinion you are wasting money by having B. I am a retired Fed employee and BCBS ( federal ) does a good job. Take the free part A Medicare only.
Also , just got a notice that the premium for BSBS for fed retirees is going to be lowered.

[Jdmiata]

Deleted

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by Average Guy

If I may ask, which Federal BC/BS option does he have - Basic or Standard? If you are like me, it is difficult to remember which is which given their names - Basic is the less expensive of the 2 options.

I will be eligible for Medicare next year and am trying to decide what to do during the upcoming Open Season for Federal Health benefits. It is always kind of a roll of the dice since you cannot be certain what your health care needs will be in the future.

He has the more expensive of the two

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by Jdmiata

In my opinion you are wasting money by having B. I am a retired Fed employee and BCBS ( federal ) does a good job. Take the free part A Medicare only.
Also , just got a notice that the premium for BSBS for fed retirees is going to be lowered.

That was a misleading notice. Mentioned that we can finally get Selt+1 on FEHB just like on FEDDENT. But premium for Family, what we needed to cover spouse is going up $100. New Self+1 is cheaper, but still much more then this year.

And Medicare B goes up but private sector won't have to pay, but CSRS will. Not yet on Medicare, but not giving up FEHB BCBS.

[Radioman41]

I just received the following email from Villages Health stating nothing will change for current members. I am a retired federal employee with Medicare A & B, with the Blue Cross standard plan which I do not plan to change. Lets hope they stand by this statement. See below:

Dear Patient of The Villages® Health,

Thank you for choosing The Villages Health to provide for your healthcare needs. You may have seen our announcement today in The Villages Daily Sun, or have noticed that we have new information on our website related to our decision to add only new patients with Medicare Advantage. We are writing to assure you that this in no way will affect your relationship with us.

We look forward to the opportunity to continue your medical care and wish you good health.

If you have not yet already looked at all your options for the 2016 benefit year, we ask that you consider having an Insurance Check-up during this open enrollment period.

Tom Menichino, FACMPE
Chief Executive Officer

Jeffrey Lowenkron, MD, MPP
Chief Medical Officer