Bill Would Open FEHBP To Senior Americans

[frugal-one]

All Americans could sign up for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program under a bill introduced this week by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA).

http://www.fedsmith.com/2012/03/15/medicare-reform-plan-would-enroll-all/?utm_source=daily-20131025&utm_medium=email&utm_term=headline-related&utm_content=html&utm_campaign=fedsmith-daily-newsletter

[iris lilies]

All Americans could sign up for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program under a bill introduced this week by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA).

http://www.fedsmith.com/2012/03/15/medicare-reform-plan-would-enroll-all/?utm_source=daily-20131025&utm_medium=email&utm_term=headline-related&utm_content=html&utm_campaign=fedsmith-daily-newsletter

So, is that gonna cost the US of A anything?

[ApatheticNoMore]

I can't imagine why anyone who has Medicare would want to be dumped onto some insurance exchange, even a gold plated one.

[Kestrel]

DH and I are retired federal employees and he kept the Federal Employees Benefit Plan insurance (even tho I was a Fed employee too I am covered under his plan, and I can keep it if he dies before me). When we became eligible for Medicare we both took out Medicare Advantage Plans, which we realize we shouldn't have, probably, but it's very inexpensive, so we are well covered insurance-wise. We also have extra vision and dental plans through FEP. We may cancel the Medicare Advantage plans, but haven't decided yet. I've been told dealing with Medicare paperwork is horrible and that some doctors won't even accept Medicare patients -- is that true?

Anyway ... a question. Do we HAVE TO HAVE MEDICARE? I mean, could we cancel the Medicare Advantage Plans and have ONLY the Federal Employee program? We have such great ins under the FEP, and if we cancel it we can't ever get it back. An option (and I think it's still available) is put it on hold for ONE YEAR, to see how that would work.

Yeah, I could probably contact our insurance carrier and/or Office of Personnel Management, but it's just easier, maybe, to ask someone here some of my basic questions ... then follow up ...

Thanks for any info/opinions you may have!

[ToomuchStuff]

. I've been told dealing with Medicare paperwork is horrible and that some doctors won't even accept Medicare patients -- is that true?



There are doctors who will accept the patient, as long as THEY THEMSELVES pay their bills. They will NOT accept medicare and they are not required to, anymore then being required to legally accept cash, etc.