Once you have Medicare, it pays first and your FEHB or PSHB plan pays second. What you still owe depends on whether your plan drops its own deductible and copays when Medicare has paid. OPM puts it this way: your FEHB plan "may waive its copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles for services covered by Part B" (OPM, Medicare and the annuitant). Whether yours does is printed in Section 9 of its brochure. We read the 2027 brochures; here is what they say.
How the waiver works
- With Parts A and B, Medicare pays its share of a covered service first. A plan that waives then pays what Medicare left, so you may pay $0 for a doctor visit or a hospital stay instead of the plan's usual copay.
- With Part A only, Medicare pays first for hospital stays and nothing else. Some plans waive their hospital copay in that case; doctor visits and outpatient care stay at the plan's regular cost-sharing.
- Conditions apply. Brochures tie the waiver to Medicare actually paying first, often with in-network providers who take Medicare. A few plans waive nothing: you keep paying their deductible and copays even when Medicare pays first.
FEHB plans sold nationwide, 2027
10 of these 13 options charge $0 for the deductible, a primary care visit and a hospital stay with Parts A and B. With Part A alone, 10 of them charge $0 for a hospital stay.
| Plan | Deductible (Self Only) | Primary care visit | Hospital stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| APWU Health Plan High Option | No Medicare: $450Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $25Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: 15%Parts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield FEP Blue Basic | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $35Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $500 a day, up to $3,500 a stayParts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield FEP Blue Standard | No Medicare: $500Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $30Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $450Parts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| Compass Rose Health Plan High Option | No Medicare: $350Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $15Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $200 a day, up to $1,000 a stayParts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| Foreign Service Benefit Plan | No Medicare: $300Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: 10% after deductibleParts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $250Parts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| GEHA Elevate Plus | No Medicare: $200Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $30Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: 20% after deductibleParts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| GEHA High Option | No Medicare: $500Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $30Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $200 a day for up to 5 days plus 20%Parts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| GEHA Standard Option | No Medicare: $500Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $35Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: 25% after deductibleParts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| SAMBA High Option | No Medicare: $300Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $15Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $250 a stay plus 15%Parts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| SAMBA Standard Option | No Medicare: $350Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $20Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $250 a stay plus 20%Parts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| Aetna Advantage | No Medicare: $2,000Parts A and B: $2,000 | No Medicare: 30% after deductibleParts A and B: 30% after deductible | No Medicare: 30% after deductibleParts A and B: 30% after deductiblePart A only: 30% after deductible |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield FEP Blue Focus | No Medicare: $1,000Parts A and B: $1,000 | No Medicare: $10 for the first 10 visits, then 30% after deductibleParts A and B: $0 after deductible | No Medicare: 30% after deductibleParts A and B: $0 after deductiblePart A only: $0 after deductible |
| MHBP Standard Option | No Medicare: $500Parts A and B: $500 | No Medicare: $35Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: 10% after deductibleParts A and B: $0Part A only: 0% after deductible |
PSHB plans, 2027
9 of these 44 options drop all three to $0 with Parts A and B. Kaiser Permanente's brochures say they don't waive costs with Original Medicare; Kaiser's savings for Medicare members come through its Medicare Advantage plans, covered in plans that pay toward Part B.
| Plan | Deductible (Self Only) | Primary care visit | Hospital stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| APWU Health Plan High Option | No Medicare: $450Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $25Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: 15%Parts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield FEP Blue Basic | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $35Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $500 a day, up to $3,500 a stayParts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield FEP Blue Standard | No Medicare: $500Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $30Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $600Parts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| GEHA Standard Option | No Medicare: $350Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $20Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: 15% after deductibleParts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| HealthPartners High OptionIowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota | No Medicare: $500Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $45Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: 20% after deductibleParts A and B: $0Part A only: 20% after deductible |
| HealthPartners Standard OptionIowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota | No Medicare: $750Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $0 for the first 5 visits, then 25% after deductibleParts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: 25% after deductibleParts A and B: $0Part A only: 25% after deductible |
| Kaiser Permanente Washington Options Federal Standard OptionWashington | No Medicare: $350Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $25Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: 20% after deductibleParts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| NALC Health Benefit Plan High Option | No Medicare: $350Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $25Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $350Parts A and B: $0Part A only: $0 |
| Rural Carrier Benefit Plan High Option | No Medicare: $350Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $20Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $200Parts A and B: $0Part A only: $200 |
| Aetna Advantage | No Medicare: $2,000Parts A and B: $2,000 | No Medicare: 30% after deductibleParts A and B: 30% after deductible | No Medicare: 30% after deductibleParts A and B: 30% after deductiblePart A only: 30% after deductible |
| Aetna Open Access Basic OptionDistrict of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $25Parts A and B: $25 | No Medicare: 20%Parts A and B: 20%Part A only: 20% |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield FEP Blue Focus | No Medicare: $1,000Parts A and B: $1,000 | No Medicare: $10 for the first 10 visits, then 30% after deductibleParts A and B: $0 after deductible | No Medicare: 30% after deductibleParts A and B: $0 after deductiblePart A only: $0 after deductible |
| HMSA Plan High OptionHawaii | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $15Parts A and B: $15 | No Medicare: $200Parts A and B: $200Part A only: $200 |
| HMSA Plan Standard OptionHawaii | No Medicare: $150Parts A and B: $150 | No Medicare: $20Parts A and B: $20 | No Medicare: 30% after deductibleParts A and B: 30% after deductiblePart A only: 30% after deductible |
| Kaiser Permanente Colorado High OptionColorado | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $20Parts A and B: $20 | No Medicare: $325 a day, up to $1,300 a stayParts A and B: $325 a day, up to $1,300 a stayPart A only: $325 a day, up to $1,300 a stay |
| Kaiser Permanente Colorado ProsperColorado | No Medicare: $350Parts A and B: $350 | No Medicare: $10Parts A and B: $10 | No Medicare: 20% after deductibleParts A and B: 20% after deductiblePart A only: 20% after deductible |
| Kaiser Permanente Colorado Standard OptionColorado | No Medicare: $150Parts A and B: $150 | No Medicare: $30Parts A and B: $30 | No Medicare: $375 a day, up to $1,500 a stay after deductibleParts A and B: $375 a day, up to $1,500 a stay after deductiblePart A only: $375 a day, up to $1,500 a stay after deductible |
| Kaiser Permanente Fresno California High OptionCalifornia | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $20Parts A and B: $20 | No Medicare: $500Parts A and B: $500Part A only: $500 |
| Kaiser Permanente Fresno California ProsperCalifornia | No Medicare: $250Parts A and B: $250 | No Medicare: $30Parts A and B: $30 | No Medicare: $900 after deductibleParts A and B: $900 after deductiblePart A only: $900 after deductible |
| Kaiser Permanente Fresno California Standard OptionCalifornia | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $30Parts A and B: $30 | No Medicare: $750Parts A and B: $750Part A only: $750 |
| Kaiser Permanente Georgia High OptionGeorgia | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $20Parts A and B: $20 | No Medicare: $500Parts A and B: $500Part A only: $500 |
| Kaiser Permanente Georgia ProsperGeorgia | No Medicare: $300Parts A and B: $300 | No Medicare: $20Parts A and B: $20 | No Medicare: 10% after deductibleParts A and B: 10% after deductiblePart A only: 10% after deductible |
| Kaiser Permanente Georgia Standard OptionGeorgia | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $25Parts A and B: $25 | No Medicare: $750Parts A and B: $750Part A only: $750 |
| Kaiser Permanente Hawaii High OptionHawaii | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $15Parts A and B: $15 | No Medicare: $150Parts A and B: $150Part A only: $150 |
| Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Standard OptionHawaii | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $25Parts A and B: $25 | No Medicare: $400Parts A and B: $400Part A only: $400 |
| Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States High OptionDistrict of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $15Parts A and B: $15 | No Medicare: $300Parts A and B: $300Part A only: $300 |
| Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States ProsperDistrict of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia | No Medicare: $200Parts A and B: $200 | No Medicare: $30Parts A and B: $30 | No Medicare: $750 after deductibleParts A and B: $750 after deductiblePart A only: $750 after deductible |
| Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States Standard OptionDistrict of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $25Parts A and B: $25 | No Medicare: $500Parts A and B: $500Part A only: $500 |
| Kaiser Permanente Northern California High OptionCalifornia | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $20Parts A and B: $20 | No Medicare: $500Parts A and B: $500Part A only: $500 |
| Kaiser Permanente Northern California ProsperCalifornia | No Medicare: $500Parts A and B: $500 | No Medicare: $25Parts A and B: $25 | No Medicare: 20% after deductibleParts A and B: 20% after deductiblePart A only: 20% after deductible |
| Kaiser Permanente Northern California Standard OptionCalifornia | No Medicare: $100Parts A and B: $100 | No Medicare: $40Parts A and B: $40 | No Medicare: $750 after deductibleParts A and B: $750 after deductiblePart A only: $750 after deductible |
| Kaiser Permanente Northwest High OptionOregon, Washington | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $20Parts A and B: $20 | No Medicare: $350Parts A and B: $350Part A only: $350 |
| Kaiser Permanente Northwest ProsperOregon, Washington | No Medicare: $300Parts A and B: $300 | No Medicare: $10Parts A and B: $10 | No Medicare: $500 after deductibleParts A and B: $500 after deductiblePart A only: $500 after deductible |
| Kaiser Permanente Northwest Standard OptionOregon, Washington | No Medicare: $150Parts A and B: $150 | No Medicare: $25Parts A and B: $25 | No Medicare: $400 after deductibleParts A and B: $400 after deductiblePart A only: $400 after deductible |
| Kaiser Permanente Southern California High OptionCalifornia | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $20Parts A and B: $20 | No Medicare: $350Parts A and B: $350Part A only: $350 |
| Kaiser Permanente Southern California ProsperCalifornia | No Medicare: $250Parts A and B: $250 | No Medicare: $30Parts A and B: $30 | No Medicare: $850 after deductibleParts A and B: $850 after deductiblePart A only: $850 after deductible |
| Kaiser Permanente Southern California Standard OptionCalifornia | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $30Parts A and B: $30 | No Medicare: $600Parts A and B: $600Part A only: $600 |
| Kaiser Permanente Washington Core High OptionIdaho, Washington | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $25Parts A and B: $25 | No Medicare: $350Parts A and B: $350Part A only: $350 |
| Kaiser Permanente Washington Core ProsperIdaho, Washington | No Medicare: $350Parts A and B: $350 | No Medicare: $15Parts A and B: $15 | No Medicare: $750 a day, up to $2,250 a stay after deductibleParts A and B: $750 a day, up to $2,250 a stay after deductiblePart A only: $750 a day, up to $2,250 a stay after deductible |
| Kaiser Permanente Washington Core Standard OptionIdaho, Washington | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $30Parts A and B: $30 | No Medicare: $750Parts A and B: $750Part A only: $750 |
| Medical Mutual of Ohio Basic OptionOhio | No Medicare: $1,100Parts A and B: $1,100 | No Medicare: $30Parts A and B: $30 | No Medicare: 30% after deductibleParts A and B: 30% after deductiblePart A only: 30% after deductible |
| Medical Mutual of Ohio Standard OptionOhio | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: $25Parts A and B: $25 | No Medicare: $850Parts A and B: $850Part A only: $850 |
| MHBP Standard Option | No Medicare: $500Parts A and B: $500 | No Medicare: $35Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: 10% after deductibleParts A and B: $0Part A only: 0% after deductible |
| UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Primary Postal WestArizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington | No Medicare: $750Parts A and B: $750 | No Medicare: $0Parts A and B: $0 | No Medicare: 25% after deductibleParts A and B: 25% after deductiblePart A only: 25% after deductible |
In-network figures from the Medicare chart in Section 9 of each plan's 2027 brochure (linked), read October 27, 2026, or November 1, 2026 for the PSHB brochures OPM posted later. Where a plan says it waives nothing, the "Parts A and B" line repeats its regular cost-sharing. Plans not listed (consumer-driven and high-deductible options, and plans whose brochures we couldn't read reliably) are named with the reason on the FEHB/PSHB check page. FEHB local HMOs are not covered.
Reading the table
- Deductible: the Self Only amount. Self Plus One and Self and Family deductibles are higher; the brochure lists them.
- Hospital stay: what you pay per admission, or per day up to a cap. "Part A only" is what the plan charges when Medicare Part A pays first and you don't have Part B. Where the brochure doesn't say it waives the stay for Part A alone, we show the plan's regular charge.
- What isn't here: specialists, outpatient care, drugs and the out-of-pocket maximum. In our tables, every plan that drops all three to $0 also charges $0 for specialist visits and outpatient hospital care with Parts A and B; check Section 9 for anything else. Drug coverage works through each plan's Medicare Part D arrangement and is not waived the same way.
Plans that waive none of these costs with Original Medicare
Aetna Advantage (FEHB); Aetna Open Access Basic Option (PSHB); HMSA Plan High Option (PSHB); HMSA Plan Standard Option (PSHB); Medical Mutual of Ohio Standard Option (PSHB); Medical Mutual of Ohio Basic Option (PSHB); Aetna Advantage (PSHB); UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Primary Postal West (PSHB); every Kaiser Permanente PSHB plan. With these, Part B mainly buys you Medicare as first payer, not lower plan copays.
Is the waiver worth the Part B premium?
That is the real question for a federal retiree, who can keep FEHB without Part B. Part B costs $202.9 a month at the 2026 standard rate ($2,434.8 a year), more with IRMAA; CMS hadn't published the 2027 amount when we checked on November 1, 2026. A plan that waives everything saves you its deductible and copays, so the waiver is worth more the more care you use. If you rarely see a doctor and your plan already waives a hospital stay with Part A, Part B can cost more than it saves. Postal retirees may not have the choice: see the PSHB Part B requirement.
Our free FEHB/PSHB check tells you whether Part B is required for you, what it would cost with IRMAA and whether waiting means a late penalty. The report then puts these waivers, each plan's 2027 premium (see 2027 premiums) and any Part B reimbursement into one yearly total per plan, with Part B and without it, for the level of care you pick (low, medium or high use).
Should you take Part B with FEHB or PSHB in 2027?.Start the free FEHB/PSHB check