Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and Medicare

Title: Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and Medicare

Excerpt: If you have Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB), you may be wondering how your FEHB plan works with Medicare. In this article, we’ll review how FEHB plans coordinate benefits with Medicare. We’ll also cover some considerations you should make when it comes to FEHB and retirement.

Updated on February 16, 2026

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2. [Federal Employee Health Benefits and Medicare]()

3. [How Does Medicare and FEHB Coordinate Benefits?]()

4. [FEHB and Medicare Part A]()

The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, or FEHB, is the world’s largest employer-sponsored group health insurance program. This coverage is for federal workers and retirees, as well as their families and spouses. Through the FEHB, federal employees (retired or currently employed) can choose to enroll in a variety of health insurance plans.

Individuals who enroll in a health insurance plan through the FEHB program receive a government contribution to their plan costs and can have their coverage continue into retirement. Additionally, those participating in the FEHB program can also change their coverage annually during the Federal Benefits Open Season (occurs in November and December).

Since FEHB plan coverage can carry into retirement, you may be wondering: what happens when I become eligible for Medicare if I have coverage through the FEHB program? Below, we’ll take a closer look at your options regarding coverage and some considerations to make before making any changes.

Like Medicare, FEHB includes coverage for inpatient and outpatient services. So retired, former, and active federal employees who are eligible for both programs – as well as those who are eligible for FEHB through their [current or former spouse]() – often wonder if they can have both Medicare and FEHB at the same time.

The short answer is yes. Enrolling in Medicare when you turn 65 will not cause you to lose or be disenrolled from your FEHB plan.

Depending on your individual needs, it may make sense to:

For those on FEHB and enrolling in Medicare, it is important to know that Medicare will always pay secondary to FEHB while you or your spouse are still employed. Although the coverage may look similar, often you will find that Medicare offers more extensive coverage for things like [durable medical equipment](), home health care, and prosthetic devices – to name a few.

You will have 30 days prior to your Medicare eligibility date to change your current FEHB plan. This enrollment opportunity can only be used once, and you can change to any plan that is currently available. If you’re planning to retire, you may consider switching to a lower cost plan or one that waives some out-of-pocket costs when Medicare is the primary payer.

Once you retire, Medicare will become your primary payer and your FEHB plan will become the secondary payer. Your FEHB plan premium will not change when Medicare becomes your primary payer. During retirement, you will still have the opportunity to change your FEHB plan during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season.