In 2023, AFSPA decided to add an Aetna Medicare Plan to their Foreign Service Benefit Plan. This is great news, but deciphering between the different Medicare plans can be confusing. Don’t fret! AFSPA has provided multiple resources to help you better understand what the FSBP and Medicare can do for you.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for anyone age 65 or older. Certain people under the age of 65 with disabilities may also be eligible.
There are four parts to Medicare.
| Part A |
Part B |
Part C |
Part D |
- Hospital insurance
- Covers inpatient hospital stays, hospice care, and some home health care
|
- Medical insurance
- Covers specific doctor’s services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventative services
|
- Medicare Advantage
- Medicare approved comprehensive type options offered by private insurers
|
- Prescription drug coverage
- Covers part of the cost of prescription drugs and some vaccines/shots
|
FSBP and Medicare
With AFSPA’s new Medicare Advantage plan with FSBP, your out-of-pocket medical care costs can decrease. It sounds too good to be true, but it is real!
Unlike Medicare, the FSBP provides coverage for eligible family members if you enroll in Self Plus One or Self Plus Family. Medicare also does not cover health care costs when traveling outside the United States. But, with Medicare and FSBP, you can travel freely knowing you and your eligible dependents are covered.
FSBP and the Aetna Medicare Plan
The Aetna Medicare Plan is made exclusively for FSBP retirees. This plan offers specific benefits for members who have Medicare Parts A and B (hospital and medical insurance) as their primary coverage and live in the United States.
With this plan, you will have $0 deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for most medical care. This plan adds extra benefits for no additional FEHB premium. Some of the added benefits include:
- For eligible members, a $900 Medicare Part B premium reduction
- SilverSneakers and Healthy Home Visits
- Prescriptions as low as $0
Still Have Questions?
If you still have questions, do not worry. AFSPA has multiple resources to help you understand how beneficial the FSBP and Aetna Medicare Plan can be. To read more about FSBP and Medicare, check out this page on our website. If you want to look more in depth at the FSBP and Aetna Medicare plan, read the details here. AFSPA’s podcast, AFSPA Talks, features an episode about Medicare Advantage. AFSPA’s COO, Kyle Longton, covers FSBP and Medicare Advantage in January. You can watch a recording of a live Q and A session here.
