[Average Guy]

Originally Posted by Bavarian

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.

Are you sure that Medicare B is free for the private sector???? I have never heard this before.

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by Average Guy

Are you sure that Medicare B is free for the private sector???? I have never heard this before.

According to NARFE magazine, if Medicare B goes up and Social Security does not go up enough to cover increase, the Social Security recipient's increase is capped at increase, or this year none of the COLA. Whereas CSRS would have to pay the full increase.

Another way that us Feds have to pay more and if you take post-retirement job your Social Security payment will be less than you would get based on money made in. A CSRS Spouse of a private sector employee will not get to survivors benefit either.

GPO and WPE.

I recommend all retired Feds check with NARFE. Good organization to join, magazine with these questions answered and discounts at hotels.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by Bavarian

According to NARFE magazine, if Medicare B goes up and Social Security does not go up enough to cover increase, the Social Security recipient's increase is capped at increase, or this year none of the COLA. Whereas CSRS would have to pay the full increase.

Another way that us Feds have to pay more and if you take post-retirement job your Social Security payment will be less than you would get based on money made in. A CSRS Spouse of a private sector employee will not get to survivors benefit either.

GPO and WPE.

I recommend all retired Feds check with NARFE. Good organization to join, magazine with these questions answered and discounts at hotels.

Any idea when the next NARFE meeting is? After looking at the 2016 std option premiums, I really need to talk with someone. Can't believe the insignificant cost difference between the Family option and the new Self + 1. What a disappointment. It's on the order of $16. This cOst is quite a bit higher than 2015 Family option, too.

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by 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

You are right, but, with the change, if you were a new patient with that same coverage, The Villages Health would not accept you. You were grandfathered in.

[784caroline]

Regarding Village Health, I can see the writing on the wall . Yes today they are still accepting other than United Healthcare IF you were previously enrolled with them...ie Grandfathered in. New patients are restricted!

However I would not be surprised if Village Heath at some time down the road, forced everyone (even existing patients) into one and only one health care insurance....its a matter of economics for them.

[jflynn1]

Villages health Care System just announced the Only supplement the will accept in the future is United Healthcare.

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by jflynn1

Villages health Care System just announced the Only supplement the will accept in the future is United Healthcare.

Was that just announced today?
I only ask, because they never mentioned supplements in their previous announcement.

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by Villageswimmer

Any idea when the next NARFE meeting is? After looking at the 2016 std option premiums, I really need to talk with someone. Can't believe the insignificant cost difference between the Family option and the new Self + 1. What a disappointment. It's on the order of $16. This cOst is quite a bit higher than 2015 Family option, too.

Not sure, but in Weekly Activities insert in Thursday's Paper. They meet at Golden Corral. Never went to one hear or before I moved here at chapter, even though they kept calling every month.

I do not plan to give up FEHP BCBS, my wife and I on too many medicines and see many Doctors.

My wife's knows one who does not get retiree health insurance anymore so had to take the Village's Health plan. They are not happy. Hard to get treatment and medicines they need. Look before you leap. There are many Good doctors here that are not in The Villages Conglomerate.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by Bavarian

Not sure, but in Weekly Activities insert in Thursday's Paper. They meet at Golden Corral. Never went to one hear or before I moved here at chapter, even though they kept calling every month.

I do not plan to give up FEHP BCBS, my wife and I on too many medicines and see many Doctors.

My wife's knows one who does not get retiree health insurance anymore so had to take the Village's Health plan. They are not happy. Hard to get treatment and medicines they need. Look before you leap. There are many Good doctors here that are not in The Villages Conglomerate.

Right, we wouldn't drop FEHB. We might, though, drop Part B. Just don't know what to do.

[massapequa girl]

The Villages Health care system is no longer accepting Medicare or BC/BS for anyone new to the Villages, only United Health Care and a Medicare Advantage plan. DO NOT GIVE UP THE FEDERAL PLAN..YOU CAN'T GET BACK IN. The are many doctors OUTSIDE of the Village Health Care system who will accept your current insurance!

[massapequa girl]

STAY WITH FEHB....Many doctors outside of the Villages Health System who will accept your plan (I am Fed.retiree also) and they are, in my humble opinion BETTER!!!!

[sralph99]

Originally Posted by massapequa girl

The Villages Health care system is no longer accepting Medicare or BC/BS for anyone new to the Villages, only United Health Care and a Medicare Advantage plan. DO NOT GIVE UP THE FEDERAL PLAN..YOU CAN'T GET BACK IN. The are many doctors OUTSIDE of the Village Health Care system who will accept your current insurance!

You can suspend your Federal Health Plan and come back during Open Season.

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by sralph99

You can suspend your Federal Health Plan and come back during Open Season.

Better check with OPM! What I read from NARFE is once you give up FEHB only way to get it back is to return to Federal Service. You can always pick a cheap plan for a year, like most of this while working, guess if you are going to be sick next year.

Did anyone notice that the Photo of this years NARFE Calendar for 2016, has Oct Nov Dec of this year on it. So October's picture for Oct 2015 on 2016 calendar is picture of cloud shrouded boats on Lake Sumter.

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by massapequa girl

STAY WITH FEHB....Many doctors outside of the Villages Health System who will accept your plan (I am Fed.retiree also) and they are, in my humble opinion BETTER!!!!

Dittos! Great Doctors around here, and no referrals needed.

[sralph99]

Originally Posted by Bavarian

Better check with OPM! What I read from NARFE is once you give up FEHB only way to get it back is to return to Federal Service. You can always pick a cheap plan for a year, like most of this while working, guess if you are going to be sick next year.

Did anyone notice that the Photo of this years NARFE Calendar for 2016, has Oct Nov Dec of this year on it. So October's picture for Oct 2015 on 2016 calendar is picture of cloud shrouded boats on Lake Sumter.

If you give up your Federal Health Plan, you cannot get it back. But there is form that you can submit to Suspend your health plan and bring it back at any open season. I suspended mine two years ago.