The following is a question submitted by a reader to Federal Times columnist Reg Jones, a charter member of the senior executive service and the resident expert on federal employee retirement issues.

A Fed Times reader asks:

“I have FEHB coverage in retirement. Why should I buy Medicare Part B (monthly premium is over $500 per month)! If Part B premiums are going to be means-tested and -based, it’s very expensive.”

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Reg’s response:

The decision about whether to pay for Medicare Option B is up to you.

Coverage under the FEHB program plus Medicare Part B may satisfy most medical needs, though The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association has pointed out a small percentage of retirees elect to be covered by Part B.

Those that do usually fall into two broad categories: 1) those who have medical conditions where the cost of coverage will be offset by the benefits; and 2) those who are concerned that they may need that coverage in the future.

Federal Times columnist Reg Jones, photographed at his home in Hamilton, Va., on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. (Mike Morones/Staff)

Got a question for the Federal Times expert? Send inquiries to: fedexperts@federaltimes.com
Correction: This story has been updated to clarify that Medicare Part A is already paid for through payroll deductions.

Reg Jones, a charter member of the senior executive service, is our resident expert on retirement and the federal government. From 1979 to '95, he served as an assistant director of the Office of Personnel Management handling recruiting and examining, white and blue collar pay, retirement, insurance and other issues. Opinions expressed are his own.

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