Dual Health Coverage a Traditional Issue

Retirees who become eligible for Medicare at age 65 have complained for years that they have to continue paying the full FEHB premium even though in most cases Medicare steps in as the first payer and their FEHB plans act as supplementary coverage for those who have both. But employee and retiree groups have been wary of a drive to fully integrate FEHB and Medicare, fearing that the legislative solution might be to erode benefits, such as prescription drug coverage, available under FEHB but not under Medicare.