FEHB: Mail Handlers Benefit Plan Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage

[OpenMinded1]

This post is mainly aimed at current and former federal employees. Those are the ones that have access to the subject health insurance plan.

Current and former federal employees with Mail Handlers Benefit Plan Standard option (MHBPS) now have the option of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage to it when they go on Medicare. Here's a link to a short comparison of the two plans. https://mhbp.com/retiree-medical-plan-details/

The premium is the same as MHBP Standard alone making the choice of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage seem like a no-brainer, if someone wants to stick with Mail Handlers. Does anybody have experience using this combination? If yes, what's you analysis of it?

I'm not really interested in input on what the best FEHB plan is for my wife and I. I put a lot of thought into that last open season, and switched from BCBS Basic to MHBP Standard. Some of the reasons I chose MHBP Standard: Relatively low prescription prices via mail order, more skilled nursing facility days than BCBS Basic, the fact that BCBS Basic won't pay anything if an out-of-network provider is used, we wanted a nationwide plan (no-narrow networks), the monthly premium is now less than BCBS Basic etc. I think BCBS Basic is about $472/month compared to $402 for MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage.

I guess if someone knows of an FEHB health insurance plan with virtually the same features as MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage that has a lower premium I'd like to hear about it.

Thanks in advance.

[Striker]

I believe in 2024, postal employees and postal retirees
will be placed in separate FEHB plans and I’m not sure
if they will be open to other federal employees or federal retirees. I’d expect this to raise cost for all
Federal employees over time despite promises to the contrary.

[Striker]

Make that 2025.
https://www.21cpw.com/usps-postal-servi ... s-in-2025/

[OpenMinded1]

Make that 2025.
https://www.21cpw.com/usps-postal-servi ... s-in-2025/

Thanks. Hadn't heard about that. I'll have to look into it. I wonder what the rationale is. Seems like it would raise rates because group size will be reduced.

[bsteiner]

I believe in 2024, postal employees and postal retirees
will be placed in separate FEHB plans and I’m not sure
if they will be open to other federal employees or federal retirees. I’d expect this to raise cost for all
Federal employees over time despite promises to the contrary.

Will the MHBP plans continue to be offered to non-postal employees and retirees after 2024?

[Striker]

Who knows and if they are, at what rates ? I expect
this to be a debacle just like the TSP change was and is.

[tallguy3891]

This post is mainly aimed at current and former federal employees. Those are the ones that have access to the subject health insurance plan.

Current and former federal employees with Mail Handlers Benefit Plan Standard option (MHBPS) now have the option of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage to it when they go on Medicare. Here's a link to a short comparison of the two plans. https://mhbp.com/retiree-medical-plan-details/

The premium is the same as MHBP Standard alone making the choice of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage seem like a no-brainer, if someone wants to stick with Mail Handlers. Does anybody have experience using this combination? If yes, what's you analysis of it?

I'm not really interested in input on what the best FEHB plan is for my wife and I. I put a lot of thought into that last open season, and switched from BCBS Basic to MHBP Standard. Some of the reasons I chose MHBP Standard: Relatively low prescription prices via mail order, more skilled nursing facility days than BCBS Basic, the fact that BCBS Basic won't pay anything if an out-of-network provider is used, we wanted a nationwide plan (no-narrow networks), the monthly premium is now less than BCBS Basic etc. I think BCBS Basic is about $472/month compared to $402 for MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage.

I guess if someone knows of an FEHB health insurance plan with virtually the same features as MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage that has a lower premium I'd like to hear about it.

Thanks in advance.

I have looked at these kinds of FEHB plans extensively. In my opinion it is first of all important to understand that the provider network is not necessarily the same for the regular FEHB plan (in this case MHBP Standard) as it is for their Medicare Advantage (MA) option. When you look up your providers there are different sites, so be aware of that, even though Aetna handles both options. Some other of these FEHB offerings are handled by different companies, e.g., the regular FEHB plan by one insurance company and the MA option by another.

You stated MHBP Standard has more Skilled Nursing days than BCBS Basic. It currently does not if one is enrolled in Medicare--if I read it correctly--the brochure states if so then Standard does not offer the 40 days. Basic too is currently zero days. Regular Medicare SNF benefits would then apparently apply.

"Aetna Advantage" FEHB plan also offers a MA option for only $275 per month self+one so it could be a good idea to do a comparison with the MHBP MA option. Why pay $402ish/mo if they are the same coverage? I personally would call both plans and compare the MA options closely.

When I checked some of the FEHB MA options they did not have my providers in-network (even though the regular FEHB plan did), and even though the plan states one can go to any provider who accepts Medicare and if the provider will treat one, I don't want to always be wondering about that "if."

Having said that, SAMBA also now offers a MA option for its Standard and High plans too, the Standard is $392.35/mo for self+one. It is actually handled by UnitedHealthcare and had all our providers in-network, and had some nice perks, including some free meds and quarterly $ for certain items. NALC and APWU also now have MA options, and depending on where one lives there apparently are others. Some, at least, of these FEHB MA offerings allow one to switch back to the "regular" FEHB plan the next month if one wants to. That is a nice option to have.

We switched to Aetna Direct the past two years, great premium, and it is a little different in that we remain on Original Medicare but also get great benefits, more Skilled Nursing days, etc. As with the other plans and their MA options, we must use Medicare providers for the best benefits, which most doctors accept. Currently an $1800 HRA so we have paid zero out of pocket for Rx since starting, and no other copays or coinsurance.

Finally, I have heard from some others some issues about these FEHB "MA" options---one person was thrilled with it and some others had issues. I'm not sure if these FEHB plans have issues like publicly offered MA plans as discussed on this site regularly. Hopefully they have better coverage since the price is generally higher, and hopefully there are no prior authorization issues as discussed frequently.

[OpenMinded1]

This post is mainly aimed at current and former federal employees. Those are the ones that have access to the subject health insurance plan.

Current and former federal employees with Mail Handlers Benefit Plan Standard option (MHBPS) now have the option of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage to it when they go on Medicare. Here's a link to a short comparison of the two plans. https://mhbp.com/retiree-medical-plan-details/

The premium is the same as MHBP Standard alone making the choice of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage seem like a no-brainer, if someone wants to stick with Mail Handlers. Does anybody have experience using this combination? If yes, what's you analysis of it?

I'm not really interested in input on what the best FEHB plan is for my wife and I. I put a lot of thought into that last open season, and switched from BCBS Basic to MHBP Standard. Some of the reasons I chose MHBP Standard: Relatively low prescription prices via mail order, more skilled nursing facility days than BCBS Basic, the fact that BCBS Basic won't pay anything if an out-of-network provider is used, we wanted a nationwide plan (no-narrow networks), the monthly premium is now less than BCBS Basic etc. I think BCBS Basic is about $472/month compared to $402 for MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage.

I guess if someone knows of an FEHB health insurance plan with virtually the same features as MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage that has a lower premium I'd like to hear about it.

Thanks in advance.

I have looked at these kinds of FEHB plans extensively. In my opinion it is first of all important to understand that the provider network is not necessarily the same for the regular FEHB plan (in this case MHBP Standard) as it is for their Medicare Advantage (MA) option. When you look up your providers there are different sites, so be aware of that, even though Aetna handles both options. Some other of these FEHB offerings are handled by different companies, e.g., the regular FEHB plan by one insurance company and the MA option by another.

You stated MHBP Standard has more Skilled Nursing days than BCBS Basic. It currently does not if one is enrolled in Medicare--if I read it correctly--the brochure states if so then Standard does not offer the 40 days. Basic too is currently zero days. Regular Medicare SNF benefits would then apparently apply.

"Aetna Advantage" FEHB plan also offers a MA option for only $275 per month self+one so it could be a good idea to do a comparison with the MHBP MA option. Why pay $402ish/mo if they are the same coverage? I personally would call both plans and compare the MA options closely.

When I checked some of the FEHB MA options they did not have my providers in-network (even though the regular FEHB plan did), and even though the plan states one can go to any provider who accepts Medicare and if the provider will treat one, I don't want to always be wondering about that "if."

Having said that, SAMBA also now offers a MA option for its Standard and High plans too, the Standard is $392.35/mo for self+one. It is actually handled by UnitedHealthcare and had all our providers in-network, and had some nice perks, including some free meds and quarterly $ for certain items. NALC and APWU also now have MA options, and depending on where one lives there apparently are others. Some, at least, of these FEHB MA offerings allow one to switch back to the "regular" FEHB plan the next month if one wants to. That is a nice option to have.

We switched to Aetna Direct the past two years, great premium, and it is a little different in that we remain on Original Medicare but also get great benefits, more Skilled Nursing days, etc. As with the other plans and their MA options, we must use Medicare providers for the best benefits, which most doctors accept. Currently an $1800 HRA so we have paid zero out of pocket for Rx since starting, and no other copays or coinsurance.

Finally, I have heard from some others some issues about these FEHB "MA" options---one person was thrilled with it and some others had issues. I'm not sure if these FEHB plans have issues like publicly offered MA plans as discussed on this site regularly. Hopefully they have better coverage since the price is generally higher, and hopefully there are no prior authorization issues as discussed frequently.

Thanks for the detailed response. It provides exactly the type of information I was looking for.

I sent a message to Aetna asking about the difference in the network of providers - MHBP Standard versus MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare advantage. I also included a request for information on days of skilled nursing facility coverage while on Medicare.

Regarding other plans. Like I said, I put a lot of thought into which plan suited us best during open season. One of the things I discovered is that some of the other plans with lower premiums would probably cost us more than MHBP Standard even with an $800 or $900 annual reimbursement or spending account per person insured. This is true because of our need for several brand name medications. It would be different if we could use generic meds exclusively.

[shunkman]

Make that 2025.
https://www.21cpw.com/usps-postal-servi ... s-in-2025/

Thanks. Hadn't heard about that. I'll have to look into it. I wonder what the rationale is. Seems like it would raise rates because group size will be reduced.

Supposedly this will reduce the costs for Postal retirees/employees and the Postal Service as a whole, without a reduction in benefits. I'll believe it when I see it.

[tallguy3891]

This post is mainly aimed at current and former federal employees. Those are the ones that have access to the subject health insurance plan.

Current and former federal employees with Mail Handlers Benefit Plan Standard option (MHBPS) now have the option of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage to it when they go on Medicare. Here's a link to a short comparison of the two plans. https://mhbp.com/retiree-medical-plan-details/

The premium is the same as MHBP Standard alone making the choice of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage seem like a no-brainer, if someone wants to stick with Mail Handlers. Does anybody have experience using this combination? If yes, what's you analysis of it?

I'm not really interested in input on what the best FEHB plan is for my wife and I. I put a lot of thought into that last open season, and switched from BCBS Basic to MHBP Standard. Some of the reasons I chose MHBP Standard: Relatively low prescription prices via mail order, more skilled nursing facility days than BCBS Basic, the fact that BCBS Basic won't pay anything if an out-of-network provider is used, we wanted a nationwide plan (no-narrow networks), the monthly premium is now less than BCBS Basic etc. I think BCBS Basic is about $472/month compared to $402 for MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage.

I guess if someone knows of an FEHB health insurance plan with virtually the same features as MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage that has a lower premium I'd like to hear about it.

Thanks in advance.

I have looked at these kinds of FEHB plans extensively. In my opinion it is first of all important to understand that the provider network is not necessarily the same for the regular FEHB plan (in this case MHBP Standard) as it is for their Medicare Advantage (MA) option. When you look up your providers there are different sites, so be aware of that, even though Aetna handles both options. Some other of these FEHB offerings are handled by different companies, e.g., the regular FEHB plan by one insurance company and the MA option by another.

You stated MHBP Standard has more Skilled Nursing days than BCBS Basic. It currently does not if one is enrolled in Medicare--if I read it correctly--the brochure states if so then Standard does not offer the 40 days. Basic too is currently zero days. Regular Medicare SNF benefits would then apparently apply.

"Aetna Advantage" FEHB plan also offers a MA option for only $275 per month self+one so it could be a good idea to do a comparison with the MHBP MA option. Why pay $402ish/mo if they are the same coverage? I personally would call both plans and compare the MA options closely.

When I checked some of the FEHB MA options they did not have my providers in-network (even though the regular FEHB plan did), and even though the plan states one can go to any provider who accepts Medicare and if the provider will treat one, I don't want to always be wondering about that "if."

Having said that, SAMBA also now offers a MA option for its Standard and High plans too, the Standard is $392.35/mo for self+one. It is actually handled by UnitedHealthcare and had all our providers in-network, and had some nice perks, including some free meds and quarterly $ for certain items. NALC and APWU also now have MA options, and depending on where one lives there apparently are others. Some, at least, of these FEHB MA offerings allow one to switch back to the "regular" FEHB plan the next month if one wants to. That is a nice option to have.

We switched to Aetna Direct the past two years, great premium, and it is a little different in that we remain on Original Medicare but also get great benefits, more Skilled Nursing days, etc. As with the other plans and their MA options, we must use Medicare providers for the best benefits, which most doctors accept. Currently an $1800 HRA so we have paid zero out of pocket for Rx since starting, and no other copays or coinsurance.

Finally, I have heard from some others some issues about these FEHB "MA" options---one person was thrilled with it and some others had issues. I'm not sure if these FEHB plans have issues like publicly offered MA plans as discussed on this site regularly. Hopefully they have better coverage since the price is generally higher, and hopefully there are no prior authorization issues as discussed frequently.

Thanks for the detailed response. It provides exactly the type of information I was looking for.

I sent a message to Aetna asking about the difference in the network of providers - MHBP Standard versus MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare advantage. I also included a request for information on days of skilled nursing facility coverage while on Medicare.

Regarding other plans. Like I said, I put a lot of thought into which plan suited us best during open season. One of the things I discovered is that some of the other plans with lower premiums would probably cost us more than MHBP Standard even with an $800 or $900 annual reimbursement or spending account per person insured. This is true because of our need for several brand name medications. It would be different if we could use generic meds exclusively.

Another thing to perhaps ponder regarding these FEHB Medicare Advantage (MA) options is the wide range of premiums among the various plans. The following plans have the same premiums as the "regular" FEHB plan which they are paired with, for instance (2023 rates self+one):
APWU $517.73 with an $85 per month Medicare Reimbursement for each MA enrollee
MHBP Standard $402.01 with $75 " " " " " "
NALC High $457.82 (note that this is the self+family rate which is cheaper than self+one) with $75 each...
SAMBA High $767.56 with $100 each...
SAMBA Sandard $392.35 with $75 each...
Aetna Advantage MA option $275 premium with $100 each...

I personally think it wise to check each plan's details, especially Rx, Catastrophic out of pocket, one's providers, and Medicare Reimbursement, etc., as compared to other plans to see what each plan offers considering the differences in premiums. Of particular note in my opinion is the Aetna Advantage plan for significantly less premium of $275/mo and $2400 per year reimbursment for a couple on the MA option. However, there might be very good reasons for the large difference in premiums among them. This, for me at least, would require some in-depth comparison.

[Ervin]

Careful with Medicare Advantage. There are all kinds of warnings (e.g. on kevinmd.com) about those plans promising on paper way more than they deliver in real life. They have nothing to do with Medicare, so you are at the whims of a private insurer who just wants to maximize profits.

When about medications, get a quote from Amazon Pharmacy and Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs. Some of the thousand-dollar-brand-name-meds can be had for less than $100 on the latter.

[tallguy3891]

One of the things with the FEHB plans for annuitants--in my opinion--which could be better is if they offered lower cost plans for retiree annuitants who are also on Medicare, since the cost to the insurance companies is maybe lower for those people. The newer FEHB "Medicare Advantage " (MA) plans do give a reimbursement in various amounts which helps somewhat, but I personally would like to see more options of the "regular" FEHB plans for annuitants with lower premiums who choose to remain in "original Medicare" Parts A and B. Anyone familiar with how Medicare with an FEHB plan as a secondary insurance works is probably already aware that the FEHB plan as a secondary is paying a much smaller percentage but still has the same premium. For example, before retiring one might have a doctor bill for $333 which the FEHB plan paid for while still working, or most of it. But, as a retiree on Medicare, Medicare approves and pays a sometimes much smaller amount, then the FEHB plan pays the balance of the much reduced amount which Medicare didn't pay, sometimes $25-$30. That is why some retirees apparently choose not to get Part B, since their premiums for Part B per year aren't always cost effective.

FEHB is generally spoken of as outstanding coverage in connection with or without Medicare, and I believe it is, but it doesn't always come cheaply. An FEHB plan plus Medicare Part B for a couple can now easily be in the $1000 per month range, or more if subject to IRMAA. Publicly offered MA plans and Medigap plans can be much less. However, as of this time there are still some FEHB plans which are cheaper and do work well with Medicare without going the MA option route.

[OpenMinded1]

This post is mainly aimed at current and former federal employees. Those are the ones that have access to the subject health insurance plan.

Current and former federal employees with Mail Handlers Benefit Plan Standard option (MHBPS) now have the option of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage to it when they go on Medicare. Here's a link to a short comparison of the two plans. https://mhbp.com/retiree-medical-plan-details/

The premium is the same as MHBP Standard alone making the choice of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage seem like a no-brainer, if someone wants to stick with Mail Handlers. Does anybody have experience using this combination? If yes, what's you analysis of it?

I'm not really interested in input on what the best FEHB plan is for my wife and I. I put a lot of thought into that last open season, and switched from BCBS Basic to MHBP Standard. Some of the reasons I chose MHBP Standard: Relatively low prescription prices via mail order, more skilled nursing facility days than BCBS Basic, the fact that BCBS Basic won't pay anything if an out-of-network provider is used, we wanted a nationwide plan (no-narrow networks), the monthly premium is now less than BCBS Basic etc. I think BCBS Basic is about $472/month compared to $402 for MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage.

I guess if someone knows of an FEHB health insurance plan with virtually the same features as MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage that has a lower premium I'd like to hear about it.

Thanks in advance.

You stated MHBP Standard has more Skilled Nursing days than BCBS Basic. It currently does not if one is enrolled in Medicare--if I read it correctly--the brochure states if so then Standard does not offer the 40 days. Basic too is currently zero days. Regular Medicare SNF benefits would then apparently apply.

I confirmed what you stated (above). With MHBP Standard, it provides no coverage for skilled nursing days after enrolling in Medicare A. So yes you were correct. It provides coverage for 40 skilled nursing facility days before going on Medicare, but even then the coverage is subject to deductibles and coinsurance. You would think they would at least cover 40 - 20 = 20 skilled nursing facility days on top of the 20 covered by Medicare after going on Medicare. Seems like a bit of a bait and switch. If I remember correctly, MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage provides 100 skilled nursing facility days. (As discussed before, the premium is the same as MHBP Standard, but I'm afraid it will be accepted by too few providers.)

[tallguy3891]

This post is mainly aimed at current and former federal employees. Those are the ones that have access to the subject health insurance plan.

Current and former federal employees with Mail Handlers Benefit Plan Standard option (MHBPS) now have the option of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage to it when they go on Medicare. Here's a link to a short comparison of the two plans. https://mhbp.com/retiree-medical-plan-details/

The premium is the same as MHBP Standard alone making the choice of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage seem like a no-brainer, if someone wants to stick with Mail Handlers. Does anybody have experience using this combination? If yes, what's you analysis of it?

I'm not really interested in input on what the best FEHB plan is for my wife and I. I put a lot of thought into that last open season, and switched from BCBS Basic to MHBP Standard. Some of the reasons I chose MHBP Standard: Relatively low prescription prices via mail order, more skilled nursing facility days than BCBS Basic, the fact that BCBS Basic won't pay anything if an out-of-network provider is used, we wanted a nationwide plan (no-narrow networks), the monthly premium is now less than BCBS Basic etc. I think BCBS Basic is about $472/month compared to $402 for MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage.

I guess if someone knows of an FEHB health insurance plan with virtually the same features as MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage that has a lower premium I'd like to hear about it.

Thanks in advance.

You stated MHBP Standard has more Skilled Nursing days than BCBS Basic. It currently does not if one is enrolled in Medicare--if I read it correctly--the brochure states if so then Standard does not offer the 40 days. Basic too is currently zero days. Regular Medicare SNF benefits would then apparently apply.

I confirmed what you stated (above). With MHBP Standard, it provides no coverage for skilled nursing days after enrolling in Medicare A. So yes you were correct. It provides coverage for 40 skilled nursing facility days before going on Medicare, but even then the coverage is subject to deductibles and coinsurance. You would think they would at least cover 40 - 20 = 20 skilled nursing facility days on top of the 20 covered by Medicare after going on Medicare. Seems like a bit of a bait and switch. If I remember correctly, MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage provides 100 skilled nursing facility days. (As discussed before, the premium is the same as MHBP Standard, but I'm afraid it will be accepted by too few providers.)

You might take a look at the new SAMBA MA plan---premium is a few dollars (2023) less than MHBP Standard, and I believe it uses UnitedHealthcare for the Medicare Advantage option (but not the "regular" FEHB plan). I found that it had all of our providers "in-network."

[OpenMinded1]

This post is mainly aimed at current and former federal employees. Those are the ones that have access to the subject health insurance plan.

Current and former federal employees with Mail Handlers Benefit Plan Standard option (MHBPS) now have the option of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage to it when they go on Medicare. Here's a link to a short comparison of the two plans. https://mhbp.com/retiree-medical-plan-details/

The premium is the same as MHBP Standard alone making the choice of adding Aetna Medicare Advantage seem like a no-brainer, if someone wants to stick with Mail Handlers. Does anybody have experience using this combination? If yes, what's you analysis of it?

I'm not really interested in input on what the best FEHB plan is for my wife and I. I put a lot of thought into that last open season, and switched from BCBS Basic to MHBP Standard. Some of the reasons I chose MHBP Standard: Relatively low prescription prices via mail order, more skilled nursing facility days than BCBS Basic, the fact that BCBS Basic won't pay anything if an out-of-network provider is used, we wanted a nationwide plan (no-narrow networks), the monthly premium is now less than BCBS Basic etc. I think BCBS Basic is about $472/month compared to $402 for MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage.

I guess if someone knows of an FEHB health insurance plan with virtually the same features as MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage that has a lower premium I'd like to hear about it.

Thanks in advance.

You stated MHBP Standard has more Skilled Nursing days than BCBS Basic. It currently does not if one is enrolled in Medicare--if I read it correctly--the brochure states if so then Standard does not offer the 40 days. Basic too is currently zero days. Regular Medicare SNF benefits would then apparently apply.

I confirmed what you stated (above). With MHBP Standard, it provides no coverage for skilled nursing days after enrolling in Medicare A. So yes you were correct. It provides coverage for 40 skilled nursing facility days before going on Medicare, but even then the coverage is subject to deductibles and coinsurance. You would think they would at least cover 40 - 20 = 20 skilled nursing facility days on top of the 20 covered by Medicare after going on Medicare. Seems like a bit of a bait and switch. If I remember correctly, MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage provides 100 skilled nursing facility days. (As discussed before, the premium is the same as MHBP Standard, but I'm afraid it will be accepted by too few providers.)

You might take a look at the new SAMBA MA plan---premium is a few dollars (2023) less than MHBP Standard, and I believe it uses UnitedHealthcare for the Medicare Advantage option (but not the "regular" FEHB plan). I found that it had all of our providers "in-network."

Thanks for the suggestion. I have a little while to decide. My initial 7-month window for enrolling in Medicare starts in a few weeks. At this point I'm leaning toward the following: 1) Keeping MHBP Standard, 2) Only signing up for Medicare A, but adding B after my wife decides to stop working, 3) Switching to a lower cost option available thru my wife's employer, but that provides far better prescription coverage than any FEHB plan. (I think signing up for Medicare is considered a life event that will allow us to switch outside of open season, but not sure yet.)

We will have dual coverage. We mainly want her plan for the great prescription benefits, and the premiums are low. We want FEHB, so she can have it if I predecease her. She can't keep her employer's insurance after she retires.

Our total premium will be about $460/month before going to Medicare B using the above described plan.


Added: Concerning providers accepting both our insurances and being in-network, all but one of our seven doctors accepts them and is in network, so I may just switch from one doctor to another. However, the problem is that one can't really tell which doctors and/or facilities they might want to use in the future because they don't know what health problems they are going to have. So maybe just getting a sense of how widely a plan is accepted and in-network is important. For evaluation of certain conditions and to get certain procedures, treatment etc., I wouldn't go to any doctors or facilities within 125 miles of where I live. IMO healthcare is a train wreck in my area.

One great thing about BCBS Basic is that a person would be hard pressed to find a provider that isn't in network.

[chalet]

is your FEHB in a different network than the spouse's plan?

[OpenMinded1]

is your FEHB in a different network than the spouse's plan?

My FEHB plan, MHBP standard, uses an Aetna network, and the the insurance we have thru my wife's employer uses a BCBS network. There seems to be a lot of overlap, but like I said, I found one of our doctors that is in network for one, but not the other. My impression is that the MHBP Standard network is more likely to have in-network providers nationwide.

[OpenMinded1]

FEHB is generally spoken of as outstanding coverage in connection with or without Medicare, and I believe it is, but it doesn't always come cheaply. An FEHB plan plus Medicare Part B for a couple can now easily be in the $1000 per month range, or more if subject to IRMAA. Publicly offered MA plans and Medigap plans can be much less. However, as of this time there are still some FEHB plans which are cheaper and do work well with Medicare without going the MA option route.

No it doesn't come cheaply. I guess my wife and I have been spoiled. She has had two jobs that provided us healthcare insurance with great coverage without her paying a premium. Her current job provided this "free" insurance until this year. She now pays premiums, but they are far less than any of the FEHB Plans. I wonder how common it is for employers to provide this "free" or very low-cost healthcare insurance.

Included in her employer's coverage are prescription benefits far better than anything I've seen offered by an FEHB plan. Even using mail order, none of the FEHB plans come close for name brand and specialty medications. They are significantly cheaper using my wife's employer's plan.

Unfortunately, neither of these employers lets employees continue their coverage after retirement.