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Medicare and Federal Retirees: Part B or Not Part B?

Medicare Part B or Not

General Engineer
NAVAIR LKE
Wed May 28, 2008 9:23 AM

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John Grobe discussed the $ issues but I suspect going forward we will see more and more Doctors opting out of Medicare as their fees are cut. I suspect those of us who stay with the Blues and not sign up for part B will have a better selection of Doctors for our medical needs.

Re: Medicare Part B or Not

Stan Schein
retired
Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:26 PM
Excellent point. I live in the Washington DC area, and I have both Medicare and Federal Employees Blue Cross. I am shocked at the number of Doctors who will not take patients who have Medicare part B. They claim that if they take Medicare part B patients, they limit the amount they can charge the patient.

Re: Medicare Part B or Not

examiner
IRS
Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:59 AM
I believe the doctor is still limited to 115% of the medicare rates.

Medicare Part B Coverage - NEVER!

Environmental Engineer
EPA
Wed May 28, 2008 9:30 AM

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When m Mother was old and needed frequent medical attention, physicians in her area were exiting Medicare B in droves. Patients had to find new doctors who would accept Medicare Part B. The advice I received and followed was to enroll my Mother in a Medicare Part B HMO. The physician at the nursing home, under the Medicare HMO, received 6K per year per patient. Under his contract he kept what was left of this amount after treatment was given during that year. This doctor decided my Mother was depressed, put my Mother on antidepressants for two weeks, and she did not respond. He discussed w Mother withholding food. I doubt she agreed. The family did not know about this although questions wree asked about missing food trays. My Mother got pneumonia and this fellow did not provide antibiotics or medical care. She arrived at the hospital too late after threatened by the family. This was accepted practice within Medicare. It was discussed at length at the hospital where my Mother died.

At 65 Don't Forget VA Pension Benefits

HR Specialist
DOD
Wed May 28, 2008 9:38 AM

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What is VA Pension for veterans?
Pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans who have limited or no income, and who are age 65 or older, or, if under 65, who are permanently and totally disabled. Veterans who are more seriously disabled may qualify for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits. These are benefits that are paid in addition to the basic pension rate.

VA diability benefit vs Part B

Health Scientist
CDC
Wed May 28, 2008 9:59 AM

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I am planning to purchase FEHB and Part B for myself. My husband can obtain care with his 30% VA disability. Should I purchase FEHB and Part B for him also? Just Part B? Just FEHB? Any assistance would be helpful.

keeping B/C family plan for two adopted children

District Counsel
USSBA
Wed May 28, 2008 10:23 AM

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I have encountered the same problem as you have regarding the BC/BS retirement information. I am single and have adopted my two grand children, two and four year old. I am over 65 and planning on retiring soon. I will have to maintain my BC/BS family plan to cover the grandbabies. Do I have to also take Medicare part B? I believe that the cost will be exhorbitant to maintain both, as compared to paying the Blue Cross deductible. what are your thoughts? I thank you for your consideration.

Re: keeping B/C family plan for two adopted children

A Friend
SBA
Fri May 30, 2008 12:20 PM
Good Question. I hope you get an answer from the author of this article. Mr. Grobe, could you answer this one for everyone? Thanks in advance!

Re: keeping B/C family plan for two adopted children

District Counsel
USSBA
Thu Jun 5, 2008 10:35 AM
please post reply

Re: keeping B/C family plan for two adopted children

Retired
NASA
Mon Jun 9, 2008 2:51 PM
While waiting for someone more knowledgeable to answer this question, I’ll venture this post. As far as I know, it is the retiree's own choice if and when to join Medicare or never to join Medicare (same for the retiree‘s spouse). I could not understand readily a plan requirement that you join Part B, you, like the rest of us, have to decide whether Part B would be cost effective in your situation. However, on the unlikely chance that rules covering your Self and Family FEHB plan in retirement are maybe different (involving self and dependent children vs the usual self and spouse), I think I would contact my FEHB plan and my human resources dept and ask them to assist you. If their answer is you are required to join Medicare, I would ask them for the chapter and verse of the law or regulation stating this and then read that carefully to confirm.

Part C

Chicago fed
DOL
Wed May 28, 2008 10:27 AM

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Is there a real advantage to enrolling in the medicare advantage projects, say with the same HMO as under FEHB--Aetna in my case? I realize you also have to sign up for Part B.

Medicare Part B

retired fed employee
retired
Wed May 28, 2008 10:30 AM

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I have FEHB/ bc-BS plan, Medicare Part B, and VA Champ. Nothing was mentioned about VA Champ which is different from TRICARE. Can I suspend FEHB if I have VA Champ (spouse benefit).

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