Fed Open Season

[Brat]

I have been drilling down on their offerings this year. Did anyone else notice that folks with Medicare can suspend participation if they enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan? I couldn't find any practical way to do that on the website and the Kaiser Perm. NW Medicare Advantage family plan for Feds is more expensive than GEHA so I will not pursue it. However, if each of us could enroll in the non-Fed Kaiser NW medicare Advantage plan it would be significantly cheaper.

IMHO the OPM Open Season website is not user friendly at all.

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Brat,

I am shooting from the hip here, but IIRC, if you choose Advantage, you can't go back later.

Unrelated to your question, I gather that expats can opt-out altogether if they can show that they are participating in another plan and do not live in the US. I gather that they can return later and join without penalty.

But then again, I believe in Truth, Justice and the American Way.

 

[Brat]

My understanding of what I read online is that you can suspend participation, that implies that you can return, but the website page provided no information about how to do that.

 

[martyb]

I'm gonna suspend my FEHB when I become eligible for Tricare...

 

[Lakedog]

Still several years away from medicare but my understanding is that you can suspend your FEHB and go back to it whenever you want.

I have had GEHA for years, and this year I am switching to their HDHP option so I can have a HSA (and get a tax break). My plan is to stay with the HDHP/HSA until medicare time (when you can no longer contribute to the HSA).

 

[Brat]

It is a little late now to make a judicious move but I will tee this up for next year.