Posted on Saturday, 7th February 2026 by

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Many, if not most, FEHB providers now offer Medicare-eligible individuals a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) through the Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP). All GEHA standard and high plan retirees with Medicare Parts A and B, who live in the United States, are eligible for a PDP/EGWP prescription plan through SilverScript.

FEHB Open Season

GEHA offered this for the first time last year and automatically enrolled all retirees with Medicare Parts A & B in this plan. This created widespread confusion, and it took me and many others months to opt out. In the meantime, we were enrolled in Part D without our permission, and many had Part D premiums deducted from our Social Security checks.

 

One Year After the Federal Return-to-Office Order, Here’s What Actually Changed

 

2026 Change

GEHA sent out a letter in early February to all of their members announcing, “If you are satisfied with your current GEHA prescription drug coverage provided by Caremark, no action is needed. If you would like to enroll in the SilverScript plan, you will need to take steps to do so.”

I received many questions from our newsletter subscribers during the last Open Season about whether GEHA members would have to opt out each year. Their customer service department assured me that once you opt out, you are not required to do so each year, and I mentioned that in my column.

The letter that GEHA members received formalizes this message and puts it to rest. Many members stayed with Caremark because their medications were covered and often at a lower cost, plus if your income exceeded a certain limit, you must pay a Part D premium. We already pay too much for our healthcare when you add in Medicare Parts A & B, FEHB premiums, and FEDVIP coverage.




Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this will become the norm for all FEHB providers. The GEHA letter outlines the pros and cons of your options and provides guidance on how to opt into a SilverScript plan if desired. They also describe what will happen if you decide to disenroll.

Fortunately, if you decide to opt into the SilverScript program, you can disenroll at any time. There are a lot of moving parts. For example, if you move to SilverScript, you are issued a separate prescription drug card. If you cancel, they will have to reissue you a new GEHA High or Standard plan prescription drug card.

I suggest keeping this letter with your healthcare provider file; you never know what circumstances may arise that would warrant a change down the road.

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Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances.  Federal regulations, medical procedures, investment information, and benefit details are subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact relevant parties for assistance, including OPM’s retirement center. Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change.

The information contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

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Posted in BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCE / TIP, General Information, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION | Comments (0)


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