Glossary
FEHB and Medicare
Federal civilian retirees often keep FEHB into retirement and must decide how it coordinates with Medicare and TFL.
Also known as: Federal Employees Health Benefits, FEHB Part B
Quick answer
FEHB is the federal civilian employee/retiree health program administered by OPM. Federal retirees can keep FEHB after 65; it coordinates with Medicare as secondary in most cases.
Why it matters
Many military retirees later worked federal civilian jobs and have both FEHB and TFL. The 'do I really need Part B if I have FEHB and TFL?' question comes up constantly — and the answer is almost always yes.
Why this matters at age 65
Without Part B you lose TFL, even if FEHB is excellent. FEHB by itself is rich but expensive; layering it with Medicare and TFL usually leaves you nearly cost-free.
When you'll encounter it
Retired federal civilian employees turning 65.
Impact on Medicare
Medicare pays first; FEHB pays secondary after Medicare.
Impact on TRICARE For Life
TFL still requires Part B. With Medicare + FEHB + TFL, FEHB typically pays third and many retirees see $0 out-of-pocket. Some retirees suspend FEHB to save the premium once Medicare + TFL is active.
Common misconceptions
- "I can drop Part B because I have FEHB and TFL." — Dropping Part B drops TFL — even if FEHB is rich, you'd lose the TRICARE pharmacy benefit and TFL backstop.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Cancelling FEHB without realizing you cannot re-enroll later if you change your mind (you can suspend, not cancel, in most cases).
- Skipping Part B and losing TFL.
What should I do?
- 1Enroll in Part B on time to protect TFL.
- 2Compare FEHB premiums against the value of TFL — many retirees suspend FEHB.
- 3Confirm suspension (not cancellation) so you can reactivate FEHB later if needed.
Continue learning
— suggested by the knowledge graph- Frequently asked questions about Medicare and TRICARE For LifeA quick-reference summary of the questions retired service members and spouses ask most often — with citations to the official source.
- Common mistakes retired military make at 65 — and how to avoid themThe most expensive errors retired service members and spouses make during the Medicare and TFL transition, and the simple fixes for each.
- How Medicare and TRICARE For Life work togetherThe exact mechanics of who pays first, who pays second, and what you owe — for every common care scenario.
- How Medicare and TRICARE For Life claims are paidThe mechanics of the Medicare-to-TFL crossover system — what providers do, what WPS does, and what to do if a claim gets stuck.
- Overseas Residence (Living Abroad with Medicare & TFL)How Medicare, TRICARE For Life, and VA care work when a retiree lives outside the United States.
- COBRA After 65COBRA is not creditable coverage for Part B — using it past 65 instead of enrolling in Medicare causes lifetime late penalties.
- Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)A 18- to 36-month temporary TRICARE-like coverage option for those who lose TRICARE eligibility — functionally the military version of COBRA.
- Coordination of Benefits (COB)The federal and contractual rules that determine which insurer pays first when you have more than one health plan.
- Dual Eligible (Medicare & Medicaid)People enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid — Medicaid pays Medicare premiums and cost-sharing, and may cover services Medicare does not.
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME)Medically necessary, reusable equipment for home use — covered by Part B at 80% after the deductible.
- End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)A condition (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant) that grants Medicare eligibility at any age.
- Who pays first, Medicare or TRICARE For Life?Medicare pays first for any service it covers. TFL pays second. The claim usually crosses over automatically — you should never pay out of pocket up front.
- Does TRICARE For Life work overseas?Yes. Overseas, TFL acts as your primary payer because Medicare generally doesn't pay outside the U.S. You'll usually pay the provider up front and file a paper claim with TFL overseas.
- What are the biggest mistakes retired military make at 65?Declining Part B, missing the IEP, ignoring DEERS, enrolling in Part D unnecessarily, and assuming MTF access continues. Each can cost thousands or end TFL.
- Can I drop Part B later to save money?Technically yes, but the day Part B ends, TFL ends. Re-enrolling requires waiting for the next General Enrollment Period and triggers a permanent late penalty.
- I have other insurance besides Medicare and TFL. Who pays first?Order varies. Active-employment group insurance pays before Medicare; retiree coverage like FEHB pays after Medicare and usually before TFL. TFL is almost always last.
Related glossary terms
Related Official Resources
Continue learning straight from the source. Every link below goes to an official government or DoD resource.
Last reviewed January 2026 against the 2026 Medicare & You and TRICARE For Life handbooks.