Federal / Military Pension Retirement?

[Maricar19]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Latest on Military and Federal Retirement:

We found a letter from the VA (almost lost in our piles of unopened mail) notifying us that we haven't enrolled in Tricare Select. We called and were told that Tricare Select is free (no monthly premium), but is second payor to our BCBS insurance. Tricare Select has $3000 deductible.We were also informed that once we reach 65 years old, we qualify for Tricare for Life, also no monthly premium. But Tricare for life is secondary to Medicare and we must enroll with Medicare B to qualify. So, at 65, our health insurance hierarchy is Medicare first, then BCBS and then Tricare for Life. Can one have too much insurance? Is this a good thing or will it make our life too confusing?

P.S. Thanks PO for the links.

 

[James48843]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Latest on Military and Federal Retirement:

We found a letter from the VA (almost lost in our piles of unopened mail) notifying us that we haven't enrolled in Tricare Select. We called and were told that Tricare Select is free (no monthly premium), but is second payor to our BCBS insurance. Tricare Select has $3000 deductible.We were also informed that once we reach 65 years old, we qualify for Tricare for Life, also no monthly premium. But Tricare for life is secondary to Medicare and we must enroll with Medicare B to qualify. So, at 65, our health insurance hierarchy is Medicare first, then BCBS and then Tricare for Life. Can one have too much insurance? Is this a good thing or will it make our life too confusing?

P.S. Thanks PO for the links.

(I am following this thread- as I am in exactly the same boat starting later this year. Thank you for posting)


Sent from my iPhone using TSP Talk Forums

 

[Scout333]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Latest on Military and Federal Retirement:

We found a letter from the VA (almost lost in our piles of unopened mail) notifying us that we haven't enrolled in Tricare Select. We called and were told that Tricare Select is free (no monthly premium), but is second payor to our BCBS insurance. Tricare Select has $3000 deductible.We were also informed that once we reach 65 years old, we qualify for Tricare for Life, also no monthly premium. But Tricare for life is secondary to Medicare and we must enroll with Medicare B to qualify. So, at 65, our health insurance hierarchy is Medicare first, then BCBS and then Tricare for Life. Can one have too much insurance? Is this a good thing or will it make our life too confusing?

P.S. Thanks PO for the links.

My dad and mom had this exact setup and it worked very smoothly for them. If they got a bill it was a mistake. Occasionally a medical provider would forget to file with one of the insurance providers but for the most part it worked very well.

 

[nasa1974]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Latest on Military and Federal Retirement:

We found a letter from the VA (almost lost in our piles of unopened mail) notifying us that we haven't enrolled in Tricare Select. We called and were told that Tricare Select is free (no monthly premium), but is second payor to our BCBS insurance. Tricare Select has $3000 deductible.We were also informed that once we reach 65 years old, we qualify for Tricare for Life, also no monthly premium. But Tricare for life is secondary to Medicare and we must enroll with Medicare B to qualify. So, at 65, our health insurance hierarchy is Medicare first, then BCBS and then Tricare for Life. Can one have too much insurance? Is this a good thing or will it make our life too confusing?

P.S. Thanks PO for the links.

No monthly premium is great.
Government folks forget that when they retire and keep their Federal insurance, once they turn 65, they have to get Medicare Part B unless they are employed and are receiving insurance through their employer. Also BCBS basic will repay you up to $600 (I heard it might go up this year) of your yearly cost of Part B. Social Security will also take Part B payments out of your monthly check.

 

[PessOptimist]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Latest on Military and Federal Retirement:

We found a letter from the VA (almost lost in our piles of unopened mail) notifying us that we haven't enrolled in Tricare Select. We called and were told that Tricare Select is free (no monthly premium), but is second payor to our BCBS insurance. Tricare Select has $3000 deductible. We were also informed that once we reach 65 years old, we qualify for Tricare for Life, also no monthly premium. But Tricare for life is secondary to Medicare and we must enroll with Medicare B to qualify. So, at 65, our health insurance hierarchy is Medicare first, then BCBS and then Tricare for Life. Can one have too much insurance? Is this a good thing or will it make our life too confusing?

That’s the hierarchy for me at 67 yo with Medicare, BCBS basic and TFL. The only confusing part is figuring out which visit/procedure the statements of coverage are referring to. If you don’t have a lot of medical things going on it should be no problem. The down side is that Medicare part B costs $144.60 per month. When you turn 65, people posting here say, you can suspend your FEHB and try out Medicare and Tricare for Life to see how it works. I haven’t tried that so don’t know how it works. You would lose the BSBC prescription benefit and be charged $10 per for Express scrip home delivery. Scrips at a military facility usually are $0 copay. Too much insurance? I am paying $384 per month for BCBS but it has worked out well considering all my wife's expenses in the last few years. It's a personal choice.

My dad and mom had this exact setup and it worked very smoothly for them. If they got a bill it was a mistake. Occasionally a medical provider would forget to file with one of the insurance providers but for the most part it worked very well.

It works like Scout said. Once in a while there is a non covered cost or a prescription copay for a non generic drug. Usually bills are because the provider forgot/didn't/was confused about submitting what to which insurer. If you get your scrips filled at a military base there are no copays (so far) but drugs will be generic in some cases.

No monthly premium is great.
Government folks forget that when they retire and keep their Federal insurance, once they turn 65, they have to get Medicare Part B unless they are employed and are receiving insurance through their employer. Also BCBS basic will repay you up to $600 (I heard it might go up this year) of your yearly cost of Part B. Social Security will also take Part B payments out of your monthly check.

Good point NASA, both for FEHB and TriCare if applicable. You have to take Medicare part B. As stated above, $144.60 per month or $1735.20 per year for me for 2020. It goes up about 7% every year. For 2020 BCBS basic will reimburse you $800. A long way from free for Tricare select or $24.50 per month for Tricare prime. Not enrolling in Medicare part B when you are 65 is going to cost you more by 10% for every year you delay. SSA is taking my part B premiums out of my benefit.

Any corrections or questions please post them.

PO

 

[Maricar19]

Thanks PO, NASA and Scout.
Q: Since we are under 65yo, we are currently covered by BCBS and Tricare Select. I guess my question is, when we go to the BCBS doctor, do we still pay the $30 copay?
Q: What is the advantage of the VA waiver?

 

[nasa1974]

Thanks PO, NASA and Scout.
Q: Since we are under 65yo, we are currently covered by BCBS and Tricare Select. I guess my question is, when we go to the BCBS doctor, do we still pay the $30 copay?
A: Before Medicare my copay varied doctor to doctor. Most of the time I didn't pay during the office visit and ended up being billed the copay after all the insurance coverage.
Q: What is the advantage of the VA waiver?

Don't have an answer for question #2.

 

[FireWeatherMet]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Looks like there are new and innovative ways that Federal Pensioners to get screwed over, especially CSRS recipients who also had qualifying time for Social Security.

https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/01/two-most-hated-provisions-government-retirement/162344/

 

[nnuut]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Looks like there are new and innovative ways that Federal Pensioners to get screwed over, especially CSRS recipients who also had qualifying time for Social Security.

https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/01/two-most-hated-provisions-government-retirement/162344/

Yes DAMNIT! they cut my Social Security by 60%. I had 19 1/2 years paying SSN, thanks a damn lot!

 

[ravensfan]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Yes DAMNIT! they cut my Social Security by 60%. I had 19 1/2 years paying SSN, thanks a damn lot!View attachment 45383

Yes and next year I will turn 65 and will be required to take Medicare Part B further eroding the measly benefit I get . I foresee a future whereas it will take my entire social security check to pay for Medicare.

Thanks for nothing politicians.;damnit

 

[nasa1974]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Looks like there are new and innovative ways that Federal Pensioners to get screwed over, especially CSRS recipients who also had qualifying time for Social Security.

https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/01/two-most-hated-provisions-government-retirement/162344/

Thanks for the information.

 

[nasa1974]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Yes DAMNIT! they cut my Social Security by 60%. I had 19 1/2 years paying SSN, thanks a damn lot!View attachment 45383

That's pretty much what I'm looking at. But I guess 40% is better than nothing. Maybe we will live long enough to see Congress eliminate WEP. :laugh: Yeah!!!!

 

[ravensfan]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

That's pretty much what I'm looking at. But I guess 40% is better than nothing. Maybe we will live long enough to see Congress eliminate WEP. :laugh: Yeah!!!!

Don't hold your breath. The proposal to eliminate WEP has been sitting in Committee for the last 10 years. :nuts:

 

[PessOptimist]

Q: Since we are under 65yo, we are currently covered by BCBS and Tricare Select. I guess my question is, when we go to the BCBS doctor, do we still pay the $30 copay?
Q: What is the advantage of the VA waiver?

Most of the time Tricare picks up the copay for my wife.

VA disability pay is not subject to fed or state income tax.

PO

 

[Maricar19]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Hello Everybody:
Review of facts:
1. We are both retired from the government and receiving both Federal and military pensions and military disability pay.
2. One of us just got rated by the VA with an 80% disability; thus full coverage for all medical expenses that are considered service-related injury.
3. We currently have Federal BCBS Basic option -approx.$164/person; Dental $46/person; Vision -$15/person
4. We received a letter telling us to sign up for Tricare Select. $Premium for husband and wife is $25/month premium; We still have to pay same dental and vision premiums as noted in #3.
But I think if you don't have the Federal medical insurance, you can't get dental and vision.
5. Age wise, we do not qualify yet for medicare.

My question to Federal and military retirees or anybody who works for the VA:
1. How does one suspend (not cancel) Federal medical insurance? And if we suspend it, do we wait for open season to sign back to the program?
2. Anybody on Tricare Select? Are you happy with it? What is your experience in getting appointments and care?
3. Is it worth to switch medical insurance to Tricare Select? Or should we keep both?


Thanks in advance.

 

[john770]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

1. How does one suspend (not cancel) Federal medical insurance? And if we suspend it, do we wait for open season to sign back to the program?
2. Anybody on Tricare Select? Are you happy with it? What is your experience in getting appointments and care?
3. Is it worth to switch medical insurance to Tricare Select? Or should we keep both?

Are you referring to VA health care when you reference Federal medical insurance..? If that is the case you don't have to cancel or suspend service, just don't use it. If you decide to go back to it just contact them and use their 'service' again. You are eligible whether you use it or not. Dental and vision uses the open season, but 'regular' VA medical care does not.

I use Tricare select and am happy with it. I prefer the freedom to choose my own providers, but of course have to pay for that freedom in the form of copays, deductibles, etc. Effective Jan 1st as you said there will also be a monthly fee of $25/mo. I have not had any issue with getting appointments, care, or Tricare billing.

You can VA healthcare and Tricare concurrently, which I did awhile back. I used VA healthcare for routine primary care and Tricare for some Orthopedic issues.

 

[Maricar19]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Are you referring to VA health care when you reference Federal medical insurance..?

Thanks for the response. I am referring to non VA Federal Medical Insurance- Blue Cross Blue Shield.
I am glad that you are satisfied with Tricare Select.
Are you also under Medicare?

 

[john770]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Thanks for the response. I am referring to non VA Federal Medical Insurance- Blue Cross Blue Shield.
I am glad that you are satisfied with Tricare Select.
Are you also under Medicare?

Ahh, gotcha. You had mentioned military and my mind went to VA care. I’m not yet eligible for Medicare, no.

 

[ravensfan]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Maricar,

Regarding your statement about having Federal medical insurance to keep your dental and vision insurance. That is not true. Dental and vision are managed by Benefeds and it is separate from Federal medical insurance. I am currently enrolled in Tricare Prime and kept my Dental Insurance with Benefeds. As for getting treatment with Tricare, I am happy with it, but it depends on where you receive service. Not all are the same.

One note for your consideration which is not really out there or being talked about. If you get Tricare, when you turn 65 you will be required to take Medicare parts A and B. If you do not, then your Tricare will be terminated. Also, if you decide to use a military facility for your day to day care, they are moving retiree's out when they qualify for Medicare and into the economy. I have been told it was to provide better care to the active duty folks only. Of course you can always select a civilian care facility that accepts Tricare and avoid having to find a new doctor when you get Medicare.

All in all, I have been happy with Tricare Prime and the facility I am currently using and, it is much cheaper than keeping your FEHB. If I remember all I had to do was write them a letter asking to have my FEHB suspended. One of the reasons on the form I filled out was a box stating I was moving to Tricare and this was a justified reason.

Hope this answers some of your questions.

 

[PessOptimist]

Re: New Retirement Talk Page

Maricar,

Regarding your statement about having Federal medical insurance to keep your dental and vision insurance. That is not true. Dental and vision are managed by Benefeds and it is separate from Federal medical insurance. I am currently enrolled in Tricare Prime and kept my Dental Insurance with Benefeds. As for getting treatment with Tricare, I am happy with it, but it depends on where you receive service. Not all are the same.

One note for your consideration which is not really out there or being talked about. If you get Tricare, when you turn 65 you will be required to take Medicare parts A and B. If you do not, then your Tricare will be terminated. Also, if you decide to use a military facility for your day to day care, they are moving retiree's out when they qualify for Medicare and into the economy. I have been told it was to provide better care to the active duty folks only. Of course you can always select a civilian care facility that accepts Tricare and avoid having to find a new doctor when you get Medicare.

All in all, I have been happy with Tricare Prime and the facility I am currently using and, it is much cheaper than keeping your FEHB. If I remember all I had to do was write them a letter asking to have my FEHB suspended. One of the reasons on the form I filled out was a box stating I was moving to Tricare and this was a justified reason.

Hope this answers some of your questions.

Before I turned 65 my military medical facility dumped me and told me to find a new PCM. I did so and the transition to Medicare and Tricare for Life was pretty seamless. Had to get Medicare part B which was 200+% more than TriCare prime. Wife turns 65 early next year and transition to Medicare is alarming her. I am keeping FEHP Blue Cross basic to keep her happy. The smart thing to do I hear is to suspend the FEHP and see how it goes with Medicare and Tricare for life. Not something I dare do right now. Others that have done so may advise you.

The biggest concern is making a choice that cannot be reversed. I think suspending FEHB covers that. I think.

Best of luck.

PO