A House Committee hearing last week looked at reforming the health benefits for postal employees in an effort to deal with the Postal Service’s massive and ongoing financial losses. Could moving postal workers to Medicare ultimately force other federal employees onto this system as well?
What are the prospects for a cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2017 and what are the implications for federal retirees? The author looks at the current situation.
The House Budget Committee has released its FY 2017 budget proposal. Unlike past budgets, this one lacks some of the direct targeting of federal employees through proposed cuts, but it still includes some proposals that are applicable to federal workers. Here is a summary of these proposals.
After months of speculation and debate, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published the official rates for Medicare Part B premiums beginning in January 2016.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have announced the 2016 premiums and deductibles for the Medicare outpatient hospital services (Part B) programs.
President Obama signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 into law on Monday. Among its provisions, the two-year budget deal sets 2016 Medicare Part B premium rates.
Following an outcry by many groups, new legislation would reduce the premium increase facing Medicare Part B participants in 2016. However, some will benefit and some will not. The author explains who comes out on top and who doesn’t under the new law.
Federal retirees who are also enrolled in Medicare part B will be glad to know that the budget deal put forth in the House includes language to protect them from a sharp increase in premiums.
An individual who reaches the age of 65 becomes eligible for Medicare. However, if at the time they become eligible for Medicare, they are working at a job that provides them with health insurance, they will not be subject to the 10% Medicare Part B late enrollment if they enroll in Medicare Part B later than age of 65, as long as they enroll within the eight months after they retire.
Without immediate action by Congress or the administration, a combination of economics and law may lead to Medicare Part B premiums rising as much as 52%. The author looks at some different ways the government could potentially prevent this from happening.
