2024 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan - Standard and Basic Option
Important Notice
Important Notice
Important Notice from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan About Our Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has determined that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan’s prescription drug coverage is, on average, expected to pay out as much as the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage will pay for all plan participants and is considered Creditable Coverage. This means you do not need to enroll in Medicare Part D and pay extra for prescription drug coverage. If you decide to enroll in Medicare Part D later, you will not have to pay a penalty for late enrollment as long as you keep your FEHB coverage.
However, if you choose to enroll in Medicare Part D, you can keep your FEHB coverage and your FEHB plan will coordinate benefits with Medicare.
Remember: If you are an annuitant and you cancel your FEHB coverage, you may not re-enroll in the FEHB Program.
Please be advised
If you lose or drop your FEHB coverage and go 63 days or longer without prescription drug coverage that is at least as good as Medicare’s prescription drug coverage, your monthly Medicare Part D premium will go up at least 1 percent per month for every month that you did not have that coverage. For example, if you go 19 months without Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, your premium will always be at least 19% higher than what many other people pay. You will have to pay this higher premium as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. In addition, you may have to wait until the next Annual Coordinated Election Period (October 15 through December 7) to enroll in Medicare Part D.
Medicare’s Low Income Benefits
For people with limited income and resources, extra help paying for a Medicare prescription drug plan is available. Information regarding this program is available through the Social Security Administration (SSA) online at www.socialsecurity.gov, or call the SSA at 800-772-1213, TTY: 711.
You can get more information about Medicare prescription drug plans and the coverage offered in your area from these places:
- Visit www.medicare.gov for personalized help.
- Call 800-MEDICARE 800-633-4227, TTY 711.
Potential Additional Premium for Medicare's High Income Members
Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA)
The Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) is an amount you may pay in addition to your FEHB premium to enroll in and maintain Medicare prescription drug coverage. This additional premium is assessed only to those with higher incomes and is adjusted based on the income reported on your IRS tax return. You do not make any IRMAA payment to your FEHB plan. Refer to the Part D-IRMAA section of the Medicare website to see if you would be subject to this additional premium.
RI 71-005
Go to Cover page. Go to page 1.