A while ago I queried the board about budgeting. I went back to the old familiar Excel spreadsheet, but this time added a monthly recurring income and expense column for reference, which turned out to be a good idea. I zeroed in on my healthcare expenses which I thought were too high.

Unbeknownst to me I was automatically enrolled in Medicare Part D in November. I can opt out, but I need to know what I'm doing. I went through everything, created hanging file folders, sorted, read, took notes. I found they now have FEP + Medicare, and I missed open season working on the house. I read, reread, wrote up my findings. I had not really thought about health care in 10 years. It's now allowed to suspend Fed Health Plans. If you cancel you can't get back in. Through multiple different sources I finally got a good idea of what my medical package was and that by going on FEPBlue Basic + Medicare I could save $2200 annually, but I'd have to use preferred providers. I'm right next to Advent Health Care which has 10 blue orgs listed, and are a preferred provider. I am getting a list together of questions to ask them.

I look at the premiums of Medicare Advantage Providers and some are so cheap it is unbelievable. OPM (Office of Personnel Management) doesn't contribute if you get a Medicare Advantage Package and I must be missing something. How can they be that cheap? Does anyone know?

It seems suspension may be allowed if your spouse has a Medicare Advantage and you want to try it. Not sure if it's limited, but evaluating Medicare Advantage and comparing is my next chore if I'm allowed to suspend.