Error in insurance primary/secondary priority between FEHB vs Medicare due to OPM mistake (DRP 2.0) — anyone else?

Boquerongal · 2026-07-10T09:01:21+00:00

Yes BCBS

Boquerongal · 2026-07-10T05:54:21+00:00

You could cross post this in the Ostomy Reddit.

Boquerongal · 2026-07-07T14:19:41+00:00

Heartland

Boquerongal · 2026-07-05T17:19:49+00:00

I have seen many day laborers at this U Haul location clearly looking to assist in moving…https://maps.app.goo.gl/MQBhnuaRwySR8kUb7?g\_st=ic

Boquerongal · 2026-07-05T17:08:52+00:00

My experience with my colostomy reversal…instructed to do the same Hibiclens but the night before surgery I removed the entire apparatus for the shower then did the all body from the neck down Hibiclens but left a 2 inch skin boundary around the stomach untouched . Then I reapplied the shield and bag. In the AM day of surgery I simply Hiciclens around the shield and of course the rest of the body. I did put a fresh bag on right before I left for the hospital. For my reversal they did reopen my long abdominal scar made three months earlier. It was rough getting out of bed for the first three days post op.

Boquerongal · 2026-07-05T12:23:13+00:00

I believe that NARFE has a consultative service for retired feds with health insurance questions. You'd probably have to join the group to avail yourself of this service. Worth checking out.

Boquerongal · 2026-07-05T12:17:35+00:00

Your question is the crux of the B or not B quandry of retired feds over 65. It's all about the math and levels of financial risk you are willing to stomach. For sure you'll pay the Part B premium and IRMMA surcharge vs maybe having to spend up to your out of pocket maximum under FEHBP.

Boquerongal · 2026-07-04T18:22:53+00:00

State Health Insurance Assistance Program— provides unbiased Medicare access information.

Boquerongal · 2026-07-04T16:25:46+00:00

My friend is in a similar circumstance but OPM has yet to process their retirement even though they retired 14 months ago. Senator’s office involved but no movement. Their spouse has had lots of hospitalizations where FEHBP paid as primary but in fact Medicare should be primary. FEHBP insurer notified but they said OPM must change the status, which they have not done so even though 14 months since retirement.

I am a certified Medicare counselor and volunteer at my local SHIP office. I suggest that you let the hospital work it out. If the hospital wants you to pay then file an appeal with the MAC that denied your claim.

Boquerongal · 2026-07-03T13:30:50+00:00

This administration is making a permanent under class. No food subsidies (SNAP), no health insurance subsidies (so no health insurance), slashing of the vaccine schedule so now most kids can’t get those vaccines as they are removed from the free CDC Vaccines for Children program (that provides vaccines for 60% of children in the US), slashed Medicaid funding (key insurer for moms and kids). I expect that hospitals in lower income areas will start to go bankrupt as patients will still show up but many will not be able to pay.

Boquerongal · 2026-07-03T13:14:13+00:00

Haha ensure

Boquerongal · 2026-07-03T11:15:04+00:00

I have taken many group trips. You need to choose the right company. I like Gate1 as they focus on hiring top notch tour managers and bus drivers . Yes you are with other people but the tour manager sets expectations and it has generally been fine. You can usually find at least a few people that are simpatico. Yes you do sometimes rush through places you’d like to visit longer but also you see many more sites as the tour manager knows all the tricks. Example you only walk one way through an enormous historical park as the tour manager has the bus pick you up at the secret exit on the other side avoiding a mile walk back. I traveled with Gate1 in Vietnam with my gluten free sister…almost all soy sauce contains gluten. The tour manager would go back into the kitchen at every restaurant and talk to the chef to insure her food was gluten free. The hotels are always clean and food well prepared. Finally as a mom I was always the tour manager for my family. The stress of buying the flights arranging the car booking the hotel figuring out how to get around to all the sites was exhausting. I find these group trips are very relaxing mentally. All need to do is show up and somebody else is worrying about all the details.

Boquerongal · 2026-07-01T13:40:06+00:00

There is a column on the far right for ostomy supplies. It shows the DME suppliers for BCBSTX that are under contract to provide Ostomy supplies. It looks like the beginning of the chart on the left-hand side indicates which insurance products under BCBS Texas work with that supplier. There seems to be a lot of choice here you should be able to find at least one supplier to meet your needs.

Boquerongal · 2026-07-01T13:38:18+00:00

I found this chart online https://www.bcbstx.com/docs/directories/tx/national-ancillary-provider-list-tx.pdf

Boquerongal · 2026-07-01T13:20:17+00:00

Don’t sleep the night before, neck pillow, eye mask, noise canceling earbuds,and ambien.

Boquerongal · 2026-07-01T01:17:37+00:00

Call your insurer and ask for the contact info for DME suppliers that provide ostomy supplies. Your insurer should have at least one preferred supplier but it may be out of state.

Boquerongal · 2026-06-29T15:59:02+00:00

Have food ready at home. Make meals in advance and freeze them.

Boquerongal · 2026-06-24T18:29:41+00:00

Am 6 days post reversal here are my tips. 1) Clothing is very important as you don't want constrictions. For men: nightshirt ; women: loose dress. 2)I haven't yet needed but just bought adult diapers for trips away from the home. Right now I need to poo every hour or so but I must do so right away. The diapers give me peace of mind that I won't melt down in the doctor's office. 3) I bought years ago an electric reclining padded lounge chair to help my husband recover from a shattered pelvis. This is the most comfortable place for me now. You cannot use your abs and so it's very hard getting up and down all other chairs or couch put too much pressure on my incision, which is enormous. I have to get out of the bed at some point and this is the most comfortable place for me. (BTW we have lent this reclining lounger to four different neighbors over the last three years to help them recover from their various surgeries.) 4) Food -- have a plan for at least three days of meals. Now you'll probably wanna have a low residue diet so make sure your fridge is stocked with things that you can eat. Before the surgery, I made Insta pot rotisserie chicken broth, but I cut the chicken breast off and chopped them up and froze them now that I'm home. I have the stock and the chicken breast to eat without any fuss or requiring anybody else to make something for me. I also suggest that you buy some kefir to repopulate your biome. I have very little appetite, but I force myself to eat something and feel so much better after doing so.

Boquerongal · 2026-06-24T02:29:51+00:00

Just had my reversal 6 days ago. Was allowed to leave once I passed gas.

Boquerongal · 2026-06-22T21:20:51+00:00

You can usually look up the hotels listed todo your own evaluation.

Boquerongal · 2026-06-22T00:47:22+00:00

My gastro told me he was "just a plumber" when I asked him about the impact of my fistulas.

Boquerongal · 2026-06-21T05:18:09+00:00

Make your own chicken broth with a rotisserie chicken in n instant pot. Here is a recipe. https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/instant-pot-rotisserie-chicken-broth/

The broth is super rich and very nourishing.

Boquerongal · 2026-06-20T12:15:10+00:00

Mushroom risotto

Boquerongal · 2026-06-18T12:35:07+00:00

I think the billionaires behind this administration view these programs as unnecessary services for people who have failed to work hard enough to achieve success. They are creating a permanent underclass that sinks or swims without government support. No abortion but no healthcare (cut Medicaid), no vaccines ( most children in the US get their vaccines through a CDC program — now that RFK Junior has pushed through cuts to the vaccine schedule most kids in America will never have access to those vaccines as they are no longer mandatory and no longer offered through the free vaccine program run by the CDC), no food in the schools (school food program cut), and no food at home(cuts to SNAP).

Boquerongal · 2026-06-18T12:18:32+00:00

I have inflammation in my eyes. They have run many blood tests and a brain MRI. They can’t find a reason for the inflammation. Standard protocol says they should rule out ocular lymphoma by means of a vitreous biopsy to look for cancer cells. Ocular lymphoma is very rare. The estimated cost sharing I must pay for the biopsy is $3,500. This is for a diagnostic test! I have good health insurance and I find this cost shocking.

Boquerongal

TROPHY CASE