News for the federal worker and those interested in official news of the federal government, federal civilian service employees and civil servants. Various federal news articles with reference citations.
Snippet of Article: "...The US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) confirmed that it will not proceed with a Biden administration proposal to expand Medicare coverage for anti-obesity drugs such as Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound (tirzepatide). ...This decision is a blow for Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, who had both previously endorsed the proposed expansion. "
Source: finance.yahoo.comSnippet of Article: "USPS employees may participate in a webinar that will help explain how the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program and Medicare work in retirement. ...Participants must register on the webinar website. ...This monthly presentation will assist attendees in understanding how the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program and Medicare work in retirement. Should you keep your PSHB coverage? Should you sign up for Medicare? These are just some questions we will discuss during these virtual sessions."
Source: news.usps.comSnippet of Article: "...If your newly adjusted Social Security benefit is large enough to cover Medicare premiums, you may no longer need to pay those premiums out of pocket. Instead, the premium amount will be automatically deducted from your monthly Social Security check.
This includes:
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)
This deduction process streamlines the payment method, reducing the chance of missed payments and ensuring uninterrupted coverage.
2. Direct Billing Will Continue for Some..."
If your annual income crosses certain thresholds due to benefit increases, you might fall into a higher IRMAA bracket, leading to higher premiums.
Snippet of Article: "...One part of the final regulations, which gained attention from many stakeholders, clarifies how Medicare Part D and prescription drug coverage will function for Medicare-eligible USPS annuitants and family members. According to OPM, PSHB plans are required to integrate Medicare Part D and offer prescription drug coverage to eligible Postal annuitants through what the program calls an “Employer Group Waiver Plan” (EGWP).
During Open Season, all Medicare-eligible Postal retirees will be automatically enrolled in an EGWP through the PSHB program. The EGWP will include prescription drug coverage through Medicare Part D. Individuals who are not eligible for Medicare, such as those living overseas, will get prescription drug benefits through their PSHB plan.
Notably, according to the final rule, Medicare-eligible USPS enrollees who opt out of Part D coverage will lose access to any underlying prescription drug coverage through PSHB. Despite concerns that arose in reaction to the proposed regulations, OPM maintained the same plans it initially proposed for opting out of Part D. ..."
Snippet of Article: "...Legislation recently approved by a House committee reforming the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) targets postal retirees to balance the Postal Service’s books, and it does so in the name of bipartisanship and expediency, usually good things. Not this time. Specifically, it breaks a promise made to now-retired postal workers and their survivors regarding their health benefits. It tells them they now must pay additional health insurance premiums for more, mostly duplicative, insurance coverage through Medicare or risk losing their health insurance benefits entirely. For postal retirees and survivors who are satisfied with their current coverage, that means another $122 per month or more to keep their current health insurance. This flies in the face of fairness and changes the rules for individuals who do not have the ability to increase their income..."
Source: thehill.comSnippet of Article: "...'The Koch brothers – second-wealthiest family and extreme right-wing family – they also have one vote, but they are going to spend some $900 million in this campaign to try to elect candidates who will cut Social Security, Medicare, federal aid to education, and environmental programs,' Sanders said to students at George Mason University in November..."
Source: www.csmonitor.comSnippet of Article: "...The leader of Goldman Sachs is a billionaire who comes to Congress and tells us we should cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Secretary Clinton, and you're not the only one, I don't mean to just point the finger at you, you've received over $600,000 in speaking fees from Goldman Sachs..."
Source: www.realclearpolitics.comSnippet of Article: "...The Postal Service would reach a majority of its savings by shifting its retirees... to Medicare..."
Source: www.govexec.comSnippet of Article: "...it's vital to fend off any weakening of the federal retirement safety net..."
Source: www.theledger.comUSPS employees can help promote semipostal stamps | Special T-shirts are available for purchase through Aug. 15 Snippet of Article: ...
