The Federal Government pays the cost of Medicare Part B premiums for civil service
annuitants covered by the Retired Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) Program
who are already enrolled under Part B. The provision applies only to annuitants who
retired prior to July 1, 1960. Therefore, individuals covered under the FEHB Act of
1959, i.e., those who retired after June 30, 1960, are not covered under this law.
The contribution is added to the annuitant's civil service annuity check and includes
an amount for the spouse of the annuitant provided the spouse is enrolled in Part
B.
Annuitants have the option of accepting the contribution toward payment of either
the Part B premium or private health benefit coverage. The contribution applies to
only one program. The decision as to which program is the annuitant's.