For General Open Season information, click the above link to use Live Help or send a secure webmail message.

For information on comparing health plans visit http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/compare-plans.

For more information regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's requirement visit www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision.

For information on the Federal Employees Dental & Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) visit the secure enrollment website www.benefeds.com or call 1-877-888-3337, TTY 1-877-889-5680.

For more information on Open Season or health care reform legislation, visit www.opm.gov/insure.

For information on Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov.

Healthcare Plan Information For Ohio - OPM.gov

Open the link above ^ for more information on Medicare choices this year.

MEDICARE OR NOT:                                                             10/21/23

Being a postal employee has numerous perks and benefits with one of the most significant ones being your FEHB (health insurance). But as people approach age 65, Medicare comes into the picture and presents numerous decisions to make concerning health benefits. Here is a link that addresses Medicare and FEHB for all federal employees:  Do You Really Need Medicare and FEHB as a Federal Employee? (be sure to scroll to top) Medicare Part A is free, paid for through payroll deductions when you worked. For Medicare Part B, you pay a premium. The chart in the above link is outdated; the 2024 Medicare Part B premiums are attached. (Thanks Bill Tierney). 

MEDICARE COST TO INCREASE: Bill Tierney                               10/13/23

The standard monthly premium for traditional Medicare Part B coverage, which encompasses physician care, outpatient services and medical equipment, will be $174.70 in 2024, up from $164.90 this year. Medicare enrollees may see higher premiums based on their income. For more information: https://www.axios.com/2023/10/13/medicare-premiums-set-to-rise-in-2024 or https://www.myfederalretirement.com/.

MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENTS: Linda Carter                                     10/21/23

Many insurance providers under the FEHB program give annual reimbursements to help offset the cost of Medicare Part B; I can only speak personally about BCBS because that is what I have. For those who have BCBS BASIC (less expensive premiums), the reimbursement in 2023 is $800. The reimbursement is not available for BCBS STANDARD (the most expensive premium, and what most of us had during career and until eligible for Medicare Part B). Once enrolled in Medicare Part B, it is not necessary to carry the additional coverage in BCBS Standard as Medicare Part B becomes your primary insurance, and BCBS is secondary. You are encouraged to talk to your Federal BCBS representative, who will (in most cases) advised you to switch to Basic. Open Season November 14 – December 12, 2023. 

HOW TO GET THE REIMBURSEMENT: from Linda Carter                 10/21/23

Basic Option members who have Medicare Part A and Part B can get up to $800 with a Medicare Reimbursement Account. All you have to do is provide proof that you pay Medicare Part B premiums.  If your premium is deducted from your Social Security, you should use the Social Security Cost of Living statement received annually, usually in November for the following year. Each eligible active or retired member on a contract with Medicare Part A and Part B, including covered spouses, can get their own $800 reimbursement. Here is the information, along with the links to apply for reimbursements: https://www.fepblue.org/our-plans/medicare/medicare-reimbursement.  If this is your first request for reimbursement, you must register first. Pay close attention to how to determine your four-digit ID Code on page 2 of the attachment. If you are already registered, it takes less than 5-minutes to apply for the reimbursement. Let me know if I can help: Linda Carter 919-323-6595. 

Hello everyone,                                                                               9/28/23

I just found out today that Bill Landman's wife passed away on Aug 28.  I apologize for the late notice and feel bad for not knowing at the time.  If anyone would like to send a card, his address is 552 Landman Rd, Waverly OH 45690-9548.  Bill served as our chaplain for a number of years.  And for those of you who are planning to attend our luncheon next Wed you will get a chance to talk with Bill there as he is planning to attend.  The link for Shirley Landman is below.

Hope to see you in Plain City!
Sara

Click on this Link to the Federal Retirement Newsletter:

https://www.myfederalretirement.com/ira-contirbutions-secure-act/