Federal Benefits Question of the Week: Medicare and FEHB

Q: Where can I learn more about how Medicare coordinates with my Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plan? I am already enrolled in Medicare Part A, and I turned 65 a couple of years ago. I will be retiring later this year and have learned that I can enroll in Medicare Part B after I retire without a late enrollment penalty since I have carried FEHB as an employee.

A: The NARFE Federal Benefits Institute is a great place to start. There you will find webinars about the basics of Medicare enrollment and the coordination of Medicare with FEHB. Two relevant titles include “So Many Choices: Which FEHB Plans Work Best With Medicare A and B?” (November 19, 2020) and “To B or Not to B: Is Medicare Part B Right for You?” (October 22, 2020).

To prove that you’re exempt from the late enrollment penalty, it is best to have an HR specialist from your agency complete form CMS L564 – “Request for Employment Verification,” to verify that you have been covered under “current employment” health insurance. You will also need to complete form CMS 40B – “Application for Medicare Part B.” There is a special enrollment period of eight months following your retirement in which you may enroll without incurring a late enrollment surcharge; see SSA Publication 05-10012 – “How to Apply for Medicare During Your Special Enrollment Period.”