Why this tool asks for your plan's numbers
FEHB plans do not all coordinate with Medicare the same way, so a calculator that assumed one answer would mislead someone. Instead you enter the deductible, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum from your plan's brochure, and the share of Medicare's leftover costs it pays. The tool then shows where Part B starts to pay for itself under those numbers, and where it does not.
Related tools
- FEHB plan comparison for plan premiums and the Medicare features each plan lists.
- Medicare IRMAA calculator for your income surcharge.
- FEHB in retirement for the five-year rule and premium growth.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to take Medicare Part B if I keep FEHB?
No. FEHB does not require Part B. Many federal retirees keep FEHB without Part B, and others add it. The right choice depends on your plan's cost sharing and how it works with Medicare, the Part B premium and any income surcharge, how much care you use, and the late-enrollment penalty if you wait.
Which pays first, Medicare or FEHB?
For a retiree with Medicare, Medicare generally pays first for what it covers and the FEHB plan pays second. For an active employee, FEHB generally pays first. Rules differ for Medicare based on disability or end-stage renal disease.
Do all FEHB plans work with Medicare the same way?
No. Some plans waive or reduce deductibles and coinsurance when Medicare is primary, some pay only part of what Medicare leaves, and some do not reimburse Part B at all. This tool assumes nothing about your plan: you enter the share your plan pays from its brochure.
What is the Part B late-enrollment penalty?
If you delay Part B past your first chance without other creditable coverage, your premium is increased by 10% for each full 12 months you waited, for as long as you have Part B. Coverage through an active employee's FEHB can count; a retiree's generally does not. The tool does not price the penalty.
How does income affect the Medicare cost?
Higher-income retirees pay an income-related surcharge on Part B and Part D, based on income from two years earlier. The tool adds that surcharge for your filing status and income using the latest published CMS table.
What does this comparison leave out?
Hospital (Part A) costs, Medigap and Medicare Advantage, the Part B penalty, and any plan benefits not captured by deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum and the share your plan pays of Medicare's leftover. It treats a share of your expenses as Medicare Part B services; hospital stays are outside it.
Is anything I enter stored or sent?
No. Everything runs in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent or saved. Analytics record only that the tool was used.