Coming up on Medicare... what to do

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jdeacon
Posts: 136
Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2010 4:38 pm

Re: Coming up on Medicare... what to do

Post by jdeacon »

If you plan on traveling outside the United States, medicare does not cover you whereas most FEHB plans do. That is why I have kept my BCBS at the less expensive basic level. With the annual $800 rebate per person for Medicare participants. I found it to be worth the piece of mind.

jhonalbert
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2021 7:35 am

Re: Coming up on Medicare... what to do

Post by jhonalbert »

Yes. If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare.

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bamablue
Posts: 246
Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:40 am

Re: Coming up on Medicare... what to do

Post by bamablue »

This is great information. I'm in a different boat, since I have my primary medical care through Tricare and individual care through the VA. I've got a couple of years before I need to make this decision, but it's never too early to start planning.

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bloobs
Posts: 1616
Joined: Tue May 21, 2019 8:00 pm

Re: Coming up on Medicare... what to do

Post by bloobs »

jdeacon wrote: Tue Sep 21, 2021 2:04 pm If you plan on traveling outside the United States, medicare does not cover you whereas most FEHB plans do. That is why I have kept my BCBS at the less expensive basic level. With the annual $800 rebate per person for Medicare participants. I found it to be worth the piece of mind.
@jdeacon - may i ask how much you pay for BCBS in retirement, relative to what you paid pre-retirement? do you get to keep medicare too?

jdeacon
Posts: 136
Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2010 4:38 pm

Re: Coming up on Medicare... what to do

Post by jdeacon »

I only have insurance on myself with BCBS basic. It costs about $1,100 per year after the $800 rebate for keeping Medicare. There was no change in cost for the BCBS premium between pre and post retirement, since OPM picks up 3/4th of the premium after retirement just like before. BTW, I retired at the end of March 2021. I decided that the annual $1,100 difference in retirement pay was worth the piece of mind when I travel overseas. The 2021 COLA covered it as a matter of fact! Having BCBS also give me additional piece of mind here in the US.

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bloobs
Posts: 1616
Joined: Tue May 21, 2019 8:00 pm

Re: Coming up on Medicare... what to do

Post by bloobs »

jdeacon wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:48 am I only have insurance on myself with BCBS basic. It costs about $1,100 per year after the $800 rebate for keeping Medicare. There was no change in cost for the BCBS premium between pre and post retirement, since OPM picks up 3/4th of the premium after retirement just like before. BTW, I retired at the end of March 2021. I decided that the annual $1,100 difference in retirement pay was worth the piece of mind when I travel overseas. The 2021 COLA covered it as a matter of fact! Having BCBS also give me additional piece of mind here in the US.
Thanks :D

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evilanne
Posts: 2067
Joined: Thu May 14, 2015 6:52 pm

Re: Coming up on Medicare... what to do

Post by evilanne »

bamablue wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 7:44 am This is great information. I'm in a different boat, since I have my primary medical care through Tricare and individual care through the VA. I've got a couple of years before I need to make this decision, but it's never too early to start planning.
With Tricare, you are required to sign up for medicare Part B when eligible (not sure if there is an exception for if you are still working), but Tricare for life doesn't cost anything once you fall under Medicare.

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evilanne
Posts: 2067
Joined: Thu May 14, 2015 6:52 pm

Re: Coming up on Medicare... what to do

Post by evilanne »

See also viewtopic.php?f=19&t=18902 entitled Should Federal Retirees Take Medicare Part B?

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