Can't I just keep my health insurance and not sign up for Medicare?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a fed here, but do feds really have the option to retire and keep their federally provided insurance and not go on Medicare? That's nuts.

The fed insurance becomes their secondary supplemental to Medicare once retired and 65.They can keep part d drug coverage at fehb though. If spouse is younger fehb is still their primary of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a fed here, but do feds really have the option to retire and keep their federally provided insurance and not go on Medicare? That's nuts.

The fed insurance becomes their secondary supplemental to Medicare once retired and 65.They can keep part d drug coverage at fehb though. If spouse is younger fehb is still their primary of course.

To expand and clarify the above. Retirees are not required to sign up for Medicare part a or B upon reaching the age 65. They can choose to continue FEHB for primary and only health coverage without a rolling in Medicare.

They can also use Medicare as their primary and FEHB as secondary. This can provide additional benefits, such as lower out-of-pocket cost as FEHB may cover costs that Medicare does not, like some copayments and deductibles.

Most federal employees are automatically eligible for premium free Medicare part A which is the hospital insurance. Enrolling and Part A is generally recommended as it’s free and can complement Fehb coverage. Enrolling in part B, which is the medical insurance for Medicare, is optional and requires a monthly premium. If a retiree opts out of part B, they can still rely solely on FEHB. However, if they decide to enroll in part B later they may face the late enrollment period of a 10% premium increase for each 12 month they were eligible, but did not enroll.

Enrolling in both Medicare and FEHB can reduce costs and provide more comprehensive coverage. Particularly for services like outpatient care or prescription drugs, depending on the FEHP plan.

Some FEHB plans, waive co-pays or deductibles after the retiree is rolled in Medicare parts A&B making coordination financially advantageous.

If opting out of part B, ensure FEHB provides adequate coverage for medical services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a fed here, but do feds really have the option to retire and keep their federally provided insurance and not go on Medicare? That's nuts.

Yes, but employees of many companies can't opt to keep their insurance at retirement. It's always been that way, but some cannot.

The sad thing is that we need insurance through employers. Shouldn't be that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeing that it's more trouble than it's worth. And, looking at my friend's bills and payments, it pays a ridiculous amount to doctors with her supplemental not paying much or even anything, saying "your provider has agreed to accept the Medicare payment", which is a fraction of all the bills. Right now, my insurance pays most of their requested bills. Do I have to do this? Plus. I am going abroad for several months. Medicare doesn't cover that.

Most insurances require that you make Medicare first at 65, and them secondary, even if you are still working. If you don't sign up for Medicare at 65, there are penalties (will cost more later)

I don’t think Medicare is always first. My 65 year old spouse is on Medicare, but since she is a dependent on my health insurance (and I work for a large company 100+ employees) my insurance is primary.

Because you are still working. When you are not, your work insurance will be secondary for the both of you.

Unless you're a federal retiree, then you can decide which one you want to be primary.

Nope. Once you retire, the work insurance becomes secondary, no choice there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a fed here, but do feds really have the option to retire and keep their federally provided insurance and not go on Medicare? That's nuts.

Why is that nuts? They have to pay for it like any other supplemental insurance. If they didn't use that, they would have to buy another supplemental plan. What's nuts about it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeing that it's more trouble than it's worth. And, looking at my friend's bills and payments, it pays a ridiculous amount to doctors with her supplemental not paying much or even anything, saying "your provider has agreed to accept the Medicare payment", which is a fraction of all the bills. Right now, my insurance pays most of their requested bills. Do I have to do this? Plus. I am going abroad for several months. Medicare doesn't cover that.

Most insurances require that you make Medicare first at 65, and them secondary, even if you are still working. If you don't sign up for Medicare at 65, there are penalties (will cost more later)

I don’t think Medicare is always first. My 65 year old spouse is on Medicare, but since she is a dependent on my health insurance (and I work for a large company 100+ employees) my insurance is primary.

Because you are still working. When you are not, your work insurance will be secondary for the both of you.

Unless you're a federal retiree, then you can decide which one you want to be primary.

Nope. Once you retire, the work insurance becomes secondary, no choice there.

Wrong. See detailed explanation a couple of post above your post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeing that it's more trouble than it's worth. And, looking at my friend's bills and payments, it pays a ridiculous amount to doctors with her supplemental not paying much or even anything, saying "your provider has agreed to accept the Medicare payment", which is a fraction of all the bills. Right now, my insurance pays most of their requested bills. Do I have to do this? Plus. I am going abroad for several months. Medicare doesn't cover that.

Most insurances require that you make Medicare first at 65, and them secondary, even if you are still working. If you don't sign up for Medicare at 65, there are penalties (will cost more later)

I don’t think Medicare is always first. My 65 year old spouse is on Medicare, but since she is a dependent on my health insurance (and I work for a large company 100+ employees) my insurance is primary.

Because you are still working. When you are not, your work insurance will be secondary for the both of you.

Unless you're a federal retiree, then you can decide which one you want to be primary.

You don’t get to choose. Medicare becomes primary and FEHB becomes the secondary. That’s why your insurance will push you sooooooo hard to sign up for Medicare. You become a lot cheaper for them (but charge you the same premium.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeing that it's more trouble than it's worth. And, looking at my friend's bills and payments, it pays a ridiculous amount to doctors with her supplemental not paying much or even anything, saying "your provider has agreed to accept the Medicare payment", which is a fraction of all the bills. Right now, my insurance pays most of their requested bills. Do I have to do this? Plus. I am going abroad for several months. Medicare doesn't cover that.

Most insurances require that you make Medicare first at 65, and them secondary, even if you are still working. If you don't sign up for Medicare at 65, there are penalties (will cost more later)

I don’t think Medicare is always first. My 65 year old spouse is on Medicare, but since she is a dependent on my health insurance (and I work for a large company 100+ employees) my insurance is primary.

Because you are still working. When you are not, your work insurance will be secondary for the both of you.

Unless you're a federal retiree, then you can decide which one you want to be primary.

Nope. Once you retire, the work insurance becomes secondary, no choice there.

Nope. Not if you are a federal retiree. You have a choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a fed here, but do feds really have the option to retire and keep their federally provided insurance and not go on Medicare? That's nuts.

Why is it nuts? The federal government pays either way.

Most retiree health benefits in the private sector worked this way until employers realized they could save money by shifting those costs to the federal government.

So is the answer yes? And if it IS yes, is the insurance that feds are allowed to keep in retirement better or more costly than Medicare, and if that's the case is that fair to the taxpayer?

Genuine questions.

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeing that it's more trouble than it's worth. And, looking at my friend's bills and payments, it pays a ridiculous amount to doctors with her supplemental not paying much or even anything, saying "your provider has agreed to accept the Medicare payment", which is a fraction of all the bills. Right now, my insurance pays most of their requested bills. Do I have to do this? Plus. I am going abroad for several months. Medicare doesn't cover that.

Most insurances require that you make Medicare first at 65, and them secondary, even if you are still working. If you don't sign up for Medicare at 65, there are penalties (will cost more later)

I don’t think Medicare is always first. My 65 year old spouse is on Medicare, but since she is a dependent on my health insurance (and I work for a large company 100+ employees) my insurance is primary.

Because you are still working. When you are not, your work insurance will be secondary for the both of you.

Unless you're a federal retiree, then you can decide which one you want to be primary.

Nope. Once you retire, the work insurance becomes secondary, no choice there.

Wrong. See detailed explanation a couple of post above your post.

I can assure you that if your Fed ins secondary is corrected by OPM as a retiree, they will literally take back every penny they paid out as primary and you will be accountable for it all by your providers. Someone I know is going through this right now. It's been a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeing that it's more trouble than it's worth. And, looking at my friend's bills and payments, it pays a ridiculous amount to doctors with her supplemental not paying much or even anything, saying "your provider has agreed to accept the Medicare payment", which is a fraction of all the bills. Right now, my insurance pays most of their requested bills. Do I have to do this? Plus. I am going abroad for several months. Medicare doesn't cover that.

Most insurances require that you make Medicare first at 65, and them secondary, even if you are still working. If you don't sign up for Medicare at 65, there are penalties (will cost more later)

I don’t think Medicare is always first. My 65 year old spouse is on Medicare, but since she is a dependent on my health insurance (and I work for a large company 100+ employees) my insurance is primary.

Because you are still working. When you are not, your work insurance will be secondary for the both of you.

Unless you're a federal retiree, then you can decide which one you want to be primary.

You don’t get to choose. Medicare becomes primary and FEHB becomes the secondary. That’s why your insurance will push you sooooooo hard to sign up for Medicare. You become a lot cheaper for them (but charge you the same premium.)

This is true for most retirees with employer sponsored health coverage. But it is NOT true for retirees from the federal government, who may choose to keep FEHB as their primary/only coverage if they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeing that it's more trouble than it's worth. And, looking at my friend's bills and payments, it pays a ridiculous amount to doctors with her supplemental not paying much or even anything, saying "your provider has agreed to accept the Medicare payment", which is a fraction of all the bills. Right now, my insurance pays most of their requested bills. Do I have to do this? Plus. I am going abroad for several months. Medicare doesn't cover that.

Most insurances require that you make Medicare first at 65, and them secondary, even if you are still working. If you don't sign up for Medicare at 65, there are penalties (will cost more later)

I don’t think Medicare is always first. My 65 year old spouse is on Medicare, but since she is a dependent on my health insurance (and I work for a large company 100+ employees) my insurance is primary.

Because you are still working. When you are not, your work insurance will be secondary for the both of you.

Unless you're a federal retiree, then you can decide which one you want to be primary.

Nope. Once you retire, the work insurance becomes secondary, no choice there.

Nope. Not if you are a federal retiree. You have a choice.

Absolutely no choice there. Your fed insurance becomes secondary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeing that it's more trouble than it's worth. And, looking at my friend's bills and payments, it pays a ridiculous amount to doctors with her supplemental not paying much or even anything, saying "your provider has agreed to accept the Medicare payment", which is a fraction of all the bills. Right now, my insurance pays most of their requested bills. Do I have to do this? Plus. I am going abroad for several months. Medicare doesn't cover that.

Most insurances require that you make Medicare first at 65, and them secondary, even if you are still working. If you don't sign up for Medicare at 65, there are penalties (will cost more later)

I don’t think Medicare is always first. My 65 year old spouse is on Medicare, but since she is a dependent on my health insurance (and I work for a large company 100+ employees) my insurance is primary.

Because you are still working. When you are not, your work insurance will be secondary for the both of you.

Unless you're a federal retiree, then you can decide which one you want to be primary.

You don’t get to choose. Medicare becomes primary and FEHB becomes the secondary. That’s why your insurance will push you sooooooo hard to sign up for Medicare. You become a lot cheaper for them (but charge you the same premium.)

This is true for most retirees with employer sponsored health coverage. But it is NOT true for retirees from the federal government, who may choose to keep FEHB as their primary/only coverage if they want.

Again, this is absolutely not true. Once the fed retires and signs on to Medicare that is 100% not an option. Otherwise, they just never sign on to Medicare, which is also an option.

[Anonymous]

I am a fed who has FEHP not through my own employment but through my retired fed husband. He has Medicare as his primary and FEHP as secondary. I plan to retire around 67. Do I still need to sign up for Medicare at 65 to avoid a penalty (even if I’m still working)? Thx.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeing that it's more trouble than it's worth. And, looking at my friend's bills and payments, it pays a ridiculous amount to doctors with her supplemental not paying much or even anything, saying "your provider has agreed to accept the Medicare payment", which is a fraction of all the bills. Right now, my insurance pays most of their requested bills. Do I have to do this? Plus. I am going abroad for several months. Medicare doesn't cover that.

you could also consider not having any insurance.

That's what many of my relatives have done.

Just put aside money and assets for emergencies and care. Let it build up equity/interest.

Better financially for most people than wasting money on the insurance scam.