An active employee with Federal government (including when you or a family member are eligible for Medicare solely because of a disability) A Federal judge who retired under title 28, U.S.C., or a Tax Court judge who retired under Section 7447 of title 26, U.S.C.

If you want your FEHB HMO to cover your Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and other services it covers that are not covered by Medicare, you must use your HMO's participating provider network to receive services and get the required referrals for specialty care.

Your FEHB Plan must pay benefits first when you are an active Federal employee or reemployed annuitant and either you or your covered spouse have Medicare, unless your reemployment position is excluded from FEHB coverage or you are enrolled in Medicare Part B only.

Since you are retired but covered under your working spouse's policy, your spouse's policy is your primary coverage. Medicare will pay secondary benefits and your FEHB plan will pay third.

Medicare must pay benefits first when you are an annuitant, and either you or your covered spouse have Medicare. This includes when you or your covered spouse are a Federal judge who retired under title 28, U.S.C., or a Tax Court judge who retired under Section 7447 of title 26, U.S.C. Medicare must pay benefits first when you are receiving Workers' Compensation and the Office of Workers' Compensation has determined that you're unable to return to duty.

Not always. A managed fee-for-service plan's payment is typically based on reasonable and customary charges, not on billed charges. In some cases, Medicare's payment and the plan's payment combined will not cover the full cost. Your out-of-pocket costs for Part B services will depend on whether your doctor accepts Medicare assignment.

Medicaid pays the deductibles, coinsurance and premiums for Medicare Part A and B for low income persons. These individuals are called "Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries" or QMB's.

New Medicare premium and coinsurance rates come out each fall and become effective in January. If you get Social Security premiums or Railroad Retirement benefits, new rates are sent to you each year with your December cost of living adjustment notice. You can get new Medicare rates each fall on this website or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Back to Top

To change your primary care dentist within the same dental group, all you need to do is to contact the medical group.

Yes, there are times when premiums can vary different forms of gold bullion, due to changes in demand or availability. These changes don't happen very often, and usually don't amount to more than a few percentage points. Eventually, the premiums return to 'normal.'

The following is a listing of the Medicare premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates that will be in effect in 2005: Most people do not pay a monthly Part A premium because they or a spouse has 40 or more quarters of Medicare-covered employment. The Part A premium is $375.00 per month for people who are not otherwise eligible for premium-free hospital insurance and have less than 30 quarters of Medicare-covered employment.

Your Medicare Supplement insurance benefits change to match the changes in Medicare. Medicare Supplement insurance policies are designed to keep up with the Medicare increases and it may mean your premium needs to be adjusted accordingly. B Top

If you are 65 or older and currently working with coverage under an employer with a group health plan. If you are under 65, disabled, and covered by a large group health plan due to your own or family member's current employment status. With kidney failure, Medicare is secondary during the Coordination of Benefts period if you have coverage under your or other family member's employer group health plan. The COB period is 30 months.

Most CHIP families are required to pay a premium every quarter. By paying your premiums, you are helping CHIP cover more children. You will receive a quarterly premium statement, due in February, May, August, and November of each year. Depending on your income you will either pay nothing, $30 a quarter, or $60 per quarter, no matter how many kids are in your family. Some families aren’t asked to pay a premium, like American Indians and those who are exempt because of their income.

No. The State of Illinois will remain your primary insurance until you retire. Once you retire, Medicare will become your primary insurance and the State of Illinois will be your secondary insurance. If you are eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A at age 65 based on your own work history or that of a spouse, you are required to purchase Part B when first eligible, otherwise you will be responsible for the full amount that Medicare Part B would have paid.

Yes. People with Medicare whose incomes are more than $80,000 as an individual or $160,000 as a couple, will pay higher Part B premiums than people with lower incomes. This change begins in 2007. No. If you choose to enroll in one of Medicare's prescription drug plans, you won't be allowed to renew a Medigap policy that also covers prescription drugs (plans H, I, or J). However, you can choose another Medigap plan that doesn't offer drug coverage.

Yes. In certain cases, you can delay your Medicare Part B enrollment without having to pay higher premiums. If you didn't take Medicare Part B when you were first eligible because you or your spouse were working and had group health plan coverage through your or your spouse's employer or union, you can sign up for Medicare Part B during a Special Enrollment Period.

If your income is limited, your State may help pay your Medicare costs such as your premiums and deductibles. Check the Helpful Contacts section of this web site for the phone number of your State Medical Assistance Program. They can help you determine if you are qualified.