nasa1974's Account Talk

[nnuut]

Alaska?

 

[RazorCat]

2moryrs,

Thanks for the advice. I have been told by others to suspend not cancel FEHB, if I go that direction. Since I have to keep BCBS at least one more year I plan to go from standard to basic during open season, that should save me a few dollars and not affect any of our doctors. My wife will apply for Medicare early next year so then I have to look at best cost vs. coverage. Will it be cheaper to keep BCBS basic + Medicare Plan B for both of us and try and pick up dental and eye care or go the Advantage/Supplemental direction. Not planning on starting up Social Security for another 2-3 years for both of us. I figure I need to have everything figured out by open season 2018.

Just saw this mention of changing from standard to basic BCBS coverage. I switched to basic from standard this past open season and couldn't be more pleased. My co-pay amount increased by a few bucks for some office visits, and I'm out of pocket a little more on prescriptions. But, with no deductible, and a monthly savings of over $150.00 I don't see any downside to moving to the basic option.
Just thought I'd share that with you.
Good luck.

 

[kb9nvh]

I've been on basic with a family for 15 years and could never understand why anyone would be on standard...everyone takes BCBS so no one is ever out of network except for dentists...no deductible and way cheaper monthly costs. When my wife got cancer we did hit our 7K annual limit for two years so maybe that would have been cheaper to be on standard at that point but I dont know.

 

[nasa1974]

I've been on basic with a family for 15 years and could never understand why anyone would be on standard...everyone takes BCBS so no one is ever out of network except for dentists...no deductible and way cheaper monthly costs. When my wife got cancer we did hit our 7K annual limit for two years so maybe that would have been cheaper to be on standard at that point but I dont know.

I stayed with the standard because of the mail-in prescriptions where the basic only had pharmacy pick-up.
Sorry to hear about your wife's cancer. I hope everything is OK.

 

[nasa1974]

Just saw this mention of changing from standard to basic BCBS coverage. I switched to basic from standard this past open season and couldn't be more pleased. My co-pay amount increased by a few bucks for some office visits, and I'm out of pocket a little more on prescriptions. But, with no deductible, and a monthly savings of over $150.00 I don't see any downside to moving to the basic option.
Just thought I'd share that with you.
Good luck.

Now that I have signed up for Medicare the Basic BCBS will be the better way to go. I'll just have to wait for open season this year to switch. The difference in cost will cover my Part "B" plus I still have the mail-in (internet) option for my prescriptions. It also looks like staying with FEHB BCBS will be a little cheaper than going with a Plan "C" supplemental also.

 

[nasa1974]

Just went 50/50 "CS". Still have one more IFT if needed. Ready with 2 IFT's for May. Up 5K from my move to 100% "I" on 3/24. Fingers crossed for todays closing numbers. :suspicious:

 

[nasa1974]

Dang!! Made my move one day to early.

 

[Scout333]

2moryrs,

Thanks for the advice. I have been told by others to suspend not cancel FEHB, if I go that direction. Since I have to keep BCBS at least one more year I plan to go from standard to basic during open season, that should save me a few dollars and not affect any of our doctors. My wife will apply for Medicare early next year so then I have to look at best cost vs. coverage. Will it be cheaper to keep BCBS basic + Medicare Plan B for both of us and try and pick up dental and eye care or go the Advantage/Supplemental direction. Not planning on starting up Social Security for another 2-3 years for both of us. I figure I need to have everything figured out by open season 2018.

Nasa, Just finished making this decision. Kept FEHB Standard because my wife is younger than I am and won't have Medicare for a few years and picked up Medicare and Parts A and B. Spoke with Medicare advisor who was close to making the same decision who told me she couldn't give me advice but she did remind me that I could always drop Part B if I didn't like it but there was a 10% penalty for each year you didn't sign up when eligible. So far I am pleased with the decision but everyone has different circumstances so it is a personal choice. Good luck with your decision. Let us know how it works out!

 

[Scout333]

Nasa, Just finished making this decision. Kept FEHB Standard because my wife is younger than I am and won't have Medicare for a few years and picked up Medicare and Parts A and B. Spoke with Medicare advisor who was close to making the same decision who told me she couldn't give me advice but she did remind me that I could always drop Part B if I didn't like it but there was a 10% penalty for each year you didn't sign up when eligible. So far I am pleased with the decision but everyone has different circumstances so it is a personal choice. Good luck with your decision. Let us know how it works out!

New Article about Part B. https://federalnewsradio.com/mike-c...ys-and-sorrows-of-turning-65-medicare-part-b/

 

[kb9nvh]

So why standard instead of basic again? Specifica medical needs or what is the advantage since basic has no deductible (just co pays). Monthly prescriptions I guess?

 

[nnuut]

So why standard instead of basic again? Specifica medical needs or what is the advantage since basic has no deductible (just co pays). Monthly prescriptions I guess?

I don't have co pays with Medicare and BCBS Basic!!

 

[Stoplight]

Great discussion !!!

Although I just got my very first SS check, I've been struggling with what to do with the Wife hitting Medicare next month ! But that's a whole 'nother story !!! She's NOT on my FEHB...

I had a primary care Doc appointment a couple of days ago...I have FEHB BC/BS Basic...no HMO crap !!! Got to talking with him about Medicare...asked him if he took it, for my Wife's situation....said he does !!! That's good news ! No change of Doctors !!!

Also mentioned to him that I was gonna have to make that decision in a couple of years...asked him about his recommendation...his Dad is also a retired Fed ! He said...."OMG !!! KEEP your FEHB !!! That's a no-brainer !!! My Dad pays almost nothing for his health care !!!"

Just saying....

BTW..Thanks, Nasa, for letting us exchange thoughts in your thread !!!



Stoplight...

 

[nasa1974]

Great discussion !!!

Although I just got my very first SS check, I've been struggling with what to do with the Wife hitting Medicare next month ! But that's a whole 'nother story !!! She's NOT on my FEHB...

I had a primary care Doc appointment a couple of days ago...I have FEHB BC/BS Basic...no HMO crap !!! Got to talking with him about Medicare...asked him if he took it, for my Wife's situation....said he does !!! That's good news ! No change of Doctors !!!

Also mentioned to him that I was gonna have to make that decision in a couple of years...asked him about his recommendation...his Dad is also a retired Fed ! He said...."OMG !!! KEEP your FEHB !!! That's a no-brainer !!! My Dad pays almost nothing for his health care !!!"

Just saying....

BTW..Thanks, Nasa, for letting us exchange thoughts in your thread !!!



Stoplight...

No problem Stoplight. I'll get back into the conversation once I get back from vacation.

 

[PessOptimist]

Happy birthday. We are now at the age our parents always said was retirement age. Unfortunately no longer so. Remember in hex we are only 41. Confuse the kids and grands with that one.

Best regards.

PO

 

[Cactus]

Yeah, I'm always confusing Halloween with Christmas because oct(31) = dec(25).

 

[nasa1974]

Government News, Research and Events for Federal Employees - GovExec.com



Thrift Savings Plan Board Approves Five-Year Lifecycle Fund Increments
By Erich Wagner May 31, 2017 3 Comments

Thrift Savings Plan Board Approves Five-Year Lifecycle Fund Increments - Pay & Benefits Watch - Pay & Benefits - GovExec.com

"The panel that oversees the retirement savings plan for federal employees on Wednesday unanimously approved offering lifecycle funds targeted to within five years of participants’ expected retirement date rather than the current 10-year increments..."

 

[Cactus]

Why bother? People who want that were rolling their own anyways. I knew someone who wanted a 2027 Fund so he put 1/3 in 2020 and 2/3 in 2030.

They also talked about expanding the I Fund as early as this Autumn. Now that is more interesting.

 

[nasa1974]

Wow where is the year going? Half way through June already.

Forgot to post the June returns last month attached are the returns for June and July.


View attachment June.xlsx

View attachment July.xlsx

 

[nasa1974]

Trying to give it all back today.

 

[nasa1974]

Just jumped to 100% "S" fund. Hopefully a good move for July.