Usually, I see NALC high mentioned with not taking part B, why GEHA Standard instead?IRMAA can play a big part in whether it is worth it to take Part B or not.I am a 64 federal retiree and have been on GEHA HDHP for at least the past 5 years. We have been blessed to be "Low Consumers" of health care. Checkups, dental work, normal preventative care. The DW and I both turn 65 in March of 2025 and are faced with Medicare decisions on what plan to choose from FEHB and whether in enroll in Medicare B. DW is drawing SS so she must take A but not B?
I have the option not to take B at this time and just stick with FEHB plans. What is the risk to this? My options are.
1. FEHB + Part A. GEHA Standard or Atena Direct.
2. FEHB + Part A and B. GEHA Standard, Atena Direct, or both either companies Medicare Advantage Plans.
3. Suspend FEHB and enroll in a Non FEHB Medicare Advantage Plan.
Thoughts and feedback for this Medicare Newbie! This stuff is confusing!
Remember that there is a Part B 10% late penalty on the base premium for every 12 months Part B is delayed. Wait 10 years and it will be 100% more expensive per current regs.
Not having Part B means one could have to pay up to the plan catastrophic max out of pocket every year, for both oneself and a spouse.
1. If FEHB and Part A only, GEHA Std is mentioned often as an excellent choice. There are others which would work but reading the brochures thoroughly is a good idea. I personally would NOT use Aetna Direct without Part B too--although it can be done, one would have to pay a fairly high deductible in addition to coinsurance, although it does have a nice Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). I was told by a rep that one uses the HRA first toward provider costs, THEN pays the $1600 deductible each, then the regular plan coinsurance starts.
2. FEHB and Parts A and B-- I came to the conclusion that if we were not on Aetna Direct, we would go with GEHA Standard, but again, there are other plans. GEHA Std does have a Medicare Advantage (MA) option, while Aetna Direct does not at this time. However, Aetna Direct I believe was designed to work well with Parts A and B, we have had it for 3 years and it has been outstanding for us. As far as FEHB Medicare Advantage plans, I came to the conclusion I would go with GEHA Standard MA plan if I chose the MA route because of the lower premium and the provider access for our situation.
3. Suspending FEHB and going with a public Medicare Advantage plan is possible (can suspend FEHB, but DO NOT CANCEL FEHB or one cannot re-enroll). It would be cheaper premiums but there are some concerns about out of pocket, max out of pocket, providers and pre-authorizations, from what I have heard.
As delamer mentioned, there are a number of threads on this topic covering with and without Part B. Also, remember that there are regs about when one has to stop contributing to the GEHA HDHP HSA when starting Medicare Part A. Very important detail in my opinion.
Feel free to ask further questions.
Statistics: Posted by cowbman — Thu Nov 14, 2024 12:56 am — Replies 3 — Views 266