Do I need Medicare if I have FEHB?
Asked by: Dr. Fermin Gleason | Last update: November 4, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (42 votes)
Do you need Medicare Part B if you have FEHB?
If you are working and have FEHB or you are covered under your spouse's group health insurance plan, then you do not have to enroll in Part B when you turn 65. You will have a special enrollment period when you retire or your spouse retires to enroll in Part B without paying a penalty.
Do I need Medicare Part B if I have good health insurance?
Key takeaways: While you don't need to enroll in Medicare Part B if you have other insurance, in some cases, it can benefit you to have both. The only time you need to enroll in Medicare Part B if you have other insurance is if you work for a company with fewer than 20 employees.
What happens if you don't enroll in Medicare Part A at 65?
Part A late enrollment penalty
If you have to buy Part A, and you don't buy it when you're first eligible for Medicare, your monthly premium may go up 10%. You'll have to pay the penalty for twice the number of years you didn't sign up.
Who is exempt from paying Medicare Part B premiums?
Enrollees who have Medicaid, employer-sponsored health coverage, or retiree health benefits from an employer generally don't have to pay the full Medicare Part B deductible, as the other coverage picks up some or all of the cost (this varies depending on the plan).
Medicare and FEHB | Do You need Part B?
Can I drop my employer health insurance and go on Medicare Part B?
Once you stop working (or lose your health insurance, if that happens first) you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when you can sign up for Medicare (or add Part B to existing Part A coverage).
Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?
Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.
Is Medicare Part B mandatory at age 65?
1. If You Are Approaching or at Age 65. If you are approaching age 65 and you already receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits through early retirement, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A (hospital insurance) and B (medical insurance) when you turn 65.
What happens to my federal health insurance when I turn 65?
If you are turning 65 years old and you are employed, your coverage continues unreduced. For retirees, your coverage may/may not reduce based on your elections you made at retirement for your Basic and Optional coverages.
What happens if I don't want Medicare Part B?
If you're dropping Part B and keeping Part A, we'll send you a new Medicare card showing you have only Part A coverage. Write down your Medicare Number in case you need to go to the hospital or get Part A-covered services until your new card arrives.
Do I need Medicare Part B if I have VA coverage?
You aren't required to sign up for Medicare if you have health care coverage through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but the VA encourages veterans to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B during your initial enrollment period at 65, unless you also have group insurance from a current employer.
What can I get instead of Medicare Part B?
Part C (Medicare Advantage)
Part C is known as Medicare Advantage. It's an alternative to Parts A and B that bundles several coverage types, including Parts A, B, and usually D. It may also include: Vision.
Do postal retirees need Medicare Part B?
As required by the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 (PSRA), certain Medicare-eligible Postal Service annuitants and their Medicare-eligible family members must enroll in Medicare Part B to remain enrolled in a PSHB plan. There are some exceptions to this requirement described here.
How can retirees keep federal employee health benefits?
Employees who have had FEHB continuously for 5 years prior to retirement can continue their coverage into retirement. OPM will deduct the premiums, after tax, directly from the employee's annuity. At age, 65 retirees have the choice of signing up for Medicare coverage.
Is FEHB considered creditable coverage for Medicare?
Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) prescription drug coverage is creditable for Medicare-eligible retirees. This means that if you are enrolled in FEHB, you can delay Part D enrollment without incurring a late enrollment penalty (LEP).
Do you need Medicare Part B if you have health insurance?
Do I need to sign up for Medicare Part B if I am working and have health insurance through an employer? You may have health insurance coverage under a group health plan based on your or your spouse's current employment. In this case, you may not need to apply for Medicare Part B at age 65.
Is there a penalty for not enrolling in Medicare Part B at age 65?
For each 12-month period you delay enrollment in Medicare Part B, you will have to pay a 10% Part B premium penalty, unless you have insurance based on your or your spouse's current work (job-based insurance) or are eligible for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP).
Do all seniors pay for Medicare Part B?
Part B is a voluntary program that requires the payment of a monthly premium for all parts of coverage. Eligibility rules for Part B depend on whether a person is eligible for premium-free Part A or whether the individual has to pay a premium for Part A coverage.
Do I need part B Medicare if I am still working?
For Medicare Part B (medical insurance) , most people need to enroll when they turn 65 to avoid a late-enrollment penalty . Only people who have health insurance from their (or their spouse's) current employer may be able to delay enrolling in Part B – and delay having to pay the monthly Part B premium.
What is the best secondary insurance if you have Medicare?
- Best for extra plan benefits: Humana.
- Best for straightforward coverage: State Farm.
- Best for extensive medical care coverage: AARP by UnitedHealthcare.
- Best for a range of Medigap plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Is Medicare Part D mandatory?
Enrollment in Part D is generally voluntary, however, some people are required to be enrolled, and others should not enroll.
How much money can you have in the bank if you're on Medicare?
eligibility for Medi-Cal. For new Medi-Cal applications only, current asset limits are $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each additional household member, up to 10. Starting on January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal applications will no longer ask for asset information.
How to get Medicare for free?
You're eligible for Part A at no cost at age 65 if 1 of the following applies: You receive or are eligible to receive benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Your spouse (living or deceased, including a divorced spouse) receives or is eligible to receive Social Security or RRB benefits.