Skip to main content

Federal Retiree Center

Welcome to all things federal retirement

Reach your health potential

At Aetna, we believe in the need to take care of the whole you -- body, mind and spirit. With an Aetna retiree plan, you can enjoy a total approach to health and wellness, so you can age actively.

Video Transcript

Choosing the right plan

{Voice over}

Picture this...

You’re out to dinner with a friend, and you order the same exact meal. But when your bills arrive, yours is $30 more than your friend’s bill.

That’s what can happen if you’re not careful about your health benefit plan choice. You can end up paying more for the same coverage.

So, it’s time to do some research into your Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program options.

Let’s start with the basics. In most cases, turning 65 is when you become eligible for Medicare. Medicare Parts A and B are also called Original Medicare.

When you retire, and if you keep your FEHB plan, Medicare will become your primary health plan. That means Medicare pays most of your medical expenses.

What about the rest of your expenses? That’s where your secondary plan comes in — your FEHB plan. Many federal retirees simply keep the FEHB plan they had while they were working. Now that might seem like the best option, and it’s the easy one, but let’s take a closer look...

When you’re retired and enrolled in Original Medicare, your FEHB plan becomes secondary. That means Medicare will pay your health care expenses first, and your FEHB plan may cover extra costs not covered by Medicare.

[on screen text] Original Medicare has a deductible and only covers about 80% of your Part B services.

But you’re still responsible for paying your full FEHB premium, even though Medicare is your primary coverage

Luckily, there are other options. Since 2015, Aetna has offered a nationwide plan with low premiums that’s tailored to Federal retirees with Medicare Parts A and B.

And in 2020 we began offering a Medicare Advantage Plan

With an Aetna plan, there’s a good chance you can keep your doctors, lower your out-of-pocket costs, and you’ll even receive some reimbursement to help pay your Medicare Part B premiums.

Our Aetna Medicare Advantage plan even include extras like SilverSneakers® fitness classes and home-delivered meals after a hospital stay.

Be sure to check out our other videos, which explain the differences between the Aetna Direct Plan and Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan – and see what works for you! Or connect directly with one of our specialists to explore your options.

Your guide to 65 and beyond

Whether you’re turning 65, getting ready to retire, or would like to take advantage of your opportunity to change your health plan, we’re here to help. You might have questions, or not know where to start. That’s why we’re providing you with this information — to help you make educated decisions.

Our mission is to fit into your life – the way you want, when you want. We look forward to hearing from you.

Need personalized help?

Schedule a one-on-one appointment with an Aetna Federal team member. Just select the date and time that works best for you and we’ll call you at the scheduled time.

Schedule now »
Chat live

Connect with an Aetna Federal team member and get your questions answered fast.

Chat live now »
Meetings where you are

Join a webinar to learn about the plan options for federal retirees.

View webinars »
Read all about it

Still have questions?

Our guide for retirees has answers.

Download the guide now (PDF) »

Get more details about how Aetna’s plans for Federal retirees provide connected care that makes healthier, easier.

Choose a plan below to get more details.

Aetna Medicare Advantage » Aetna Direct »

Video answers to your Federal retirement questions

The most popular Federal retirement questions answered by the Aetna Federal team.

Read the latest on making the most of your retiree benefits


Top 10 Retiree FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions – answered.

Aetna Medicare is an HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. Aetna Medicare’s pharmacy network includes limited lower cost, preferred pharmacies in all areas. The lower costs advertised in our plan materials for these pharmacies may not be available at the pharmacy you use. For up-to-date information about our network pharmacies, including whether there are any lower-cost preferred pharmacies in your area, members please call the number on your ID card, non-members please call 1-855-338-7027 (TTY: 711) or consult the online pharmacy directory at http://www.aetnamedicare.com/pharmacyhelp. For mail-order, you can get prescription drugs shipped to your home through the network mail-order delivery program. Typically, mail-order drugs arrive within 10-14 days. You can call the number on the back of your ID card if you do not receive your mail-order drugs within this timeframe. Members may have the option to sign-up for automated mail-order delivery. The formulary, pharmacy network, and provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. Members who get “Extra Help” are not required to fill prescriptions at preferred network pharmacies in order to get Low Income Subsidy (LIS) copays. Participating physicians, hospitals and other health care providers are independent contractors and are neither agents nor employees of Aetna. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed, and provider network composition is subject to change. See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area.

Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of subsidiary companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna).

Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to AetnaFeds.com.

©2022 Aetna Inc.
Y0001_GRP_4010_3337_2021_M
19.00.346.1 (10/22)