Here Are Some Examples
One of our dear family members is 70 years young. He served in the Navy and receives VA benefits. He visits the VA oftenmainly for prescriptions drugs and hearing aids.
But his Florida Medicare Supplement plan has been invaluable for many years. Most recently he needed to see a dermatologist the day he was leaving for a cruise.
We were able to find him a Medicare approved doctor and get him an appointment that morning. The doctor billed Medicare and the Medicare Supplement Plan G paid the remainder of Medicare approved charges.
Another Veteran, Mr. M, is a client who has a Medigap Plan F in Kansas. He lives 200 miles from the nearest VA facility.
He takes a full day to drive to the VA center, have the appointment and drive home. In certain situations, Mr. M doesnt mind making the trip if its for an item that Medicare doesnt cover.
However, Mr. M likes having peace of mind about his healthcare coverage. With his Medicare Supplement insurance, hes able to stay in town and visit any Medicare approved doctor, hospital, or specialist he desires.
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Enroll In Medicare Part D At Myrxplanscom
There are a few instances in which enrolling in a Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage may make sense:
- VA coverage includes its own drug formulary . If the VA does not cover a specific drug that you need to take, you might consider enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan that covers that drug.
- A drug prescribed by a doctor at a non-VA facility may not be covered by VA benefits without authorization.
- A non-VA pharmacy may be a more convenient way to obtain your drugs, especially if you reside in a nursing home or other long-term care facility.
- If you qualify for Medicare Extra Help, your overall drug costs may be lower with a Part D plan than under VA coverage.
Does Champva Offer Dental Coverage
Veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries have the opportunity to purchase dental insurance at a great rate. Purchasing a dental plan does not affect Veterans eligibility for VA dental services and treatment. Covered services include diagnostic, preventative, surgical, emergency and endodontic/restorative treatment.
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Can A Veteran Get A Medicare Advantage Plan
Those who have both VA benefits and Medicare Part A and Part B have the option to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Private insurance companies offer these plans. When you enroll in this coverage, the carrier you choose pays instead of Medicare.
The monthly costs for Medicare Advantage plans are relatively low. Sometimes, Medicare Advantage plans even come without premiums. Thus, Medicare Advantage plans are a good option for extra coverage when you already have VA benefits. In an emergency scenario where you would need care at a civilian facility, Medicare Advantage plans can help with costs.
Medicare Part C And Va Benefits
If you need additional services or coverage not offered to you through your VA benefits, you may consider a Medicare Advantage plan. Most Medicare Advantage plans offer additional coverage, like vision, hearing, dental, prescription drug coverage, and/or health and wellness programs. These services are usually offered through your VA benefits too, however, a Medicare Advantage plan might be a better choice depending on the facility locations and your travel needs. Learn more about Medicare Part C.
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Medicare Advantage Plans Can Be Good Options For Veterans
A Medicare Advantage plan may be worth considering if you are a veteran.
A Medicare Advantage plan will provide all the same coverage as Original Medicare, and some Medicare Advantage plans may cover some additional benefits that Original Medicare doesnt.
Some of these additional benefits can include coverage for:
- Prescription drugs
Many Medicare Advantage plans may also come with $0 premiums, though $0 premium plans may not be available in all locations.
Can Veterans Receiving Va Benefits Get Medicaid
Can veterans get Medicaid while they are drawing Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, and should they?
While it is theoretically possible to be eligible for both Medicaid and VA benefits, such as Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits, very few individuals get assistance from both programs at the same time. If they are eligible for both programs, usually they receive the one that provides the greater benefit.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly one in 10 working-age veterans receive Medicaid, with 40% of them having Medicaid as their only health coverage.
The programs have different eligibility rules and payment amounts, so depending on your situation, one program may be better than the other.
While all Americans are eligible for Medicaid if they meet the eligibility requirements, veterans and their survivors are eligible for special benefits from the VA, usually only if the veteran has a service-connected disability.
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Should You Get Medigap If You Have Va Benefits
Perhaps. A Medicare Supplement Plan will fill in the unpaid gaps in coverage such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Medicare also includes benefits when travelling outside of the U.S. and its territories.
Make sure to speak with your VA, Tricare or CHAMPVA representative before enrolling in any supplemental plan to ensure that it is your best course of action. Here are two reasons why you may want to enroll in a Medigap plan:
It is important to enroll in Medigap when it is first available. If you apply outside of your Medigap initial enrollment period you will be asked medical questions. You could also be denied coverage or charged more.
Va Benefits And Medicare
It is important to note that Veterans Affair plans and Medicare are completely separate. VA plans only cover care at VA facilities and Medicare only covers care at Medicare assigned facilities. VA and Medicare coverage do not overlap.
To confirm your VA benefits and options, please call the VA directly 1-877-222-VETS , since we are not authorized to answer specific questions.
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Medicaid Or Va Benefits: Which Is Better
The type of care a person requires is usually the major deciding factor between choosing Medicaid or a VA pension.
Generally, for those needing home care or assisted living, VA benefits are better. For those who need nursing-home care, Medicaid is usually better. That is because Medicaid will usually cover the full cost of a nursing home, while VA benefits will only cover a portion. In 2020, the median monthly nursing home cost was $7,756.
Depending on the situation, the VA may also pay all or part of the cost of a private nursing home. However, in most cases, the VA will only pay a portion of the cost, with the veteran making up the difference through personal funds or insurance.
Medicaid payments are sent directly to the health-care provider, while VA benefits are usually paid directly to the eligible beneficiaries.
While Medicaid will cover the full cost of residential long-term care, in many states most long-term care facilities only accept a limited number of Medicaid patients. This means that even if someone is approved for Medicaid benefits, they may wait a very long time for an opening.
VA provides in-home health care if it is medically required, as well as services like adult day care and hospice care for all veterans eligible for VA medical benefits. Veterans with certain disabilities may also be eligible for nursing home care from the VA or state.
See: VA Long Term Care Payment Options
See: Nursing Home Care From the VA
I Am A Veteran What Do I Need To Know
There are three things veterans should know about their health care options.
Additionally, enrollment in VA health care means you can receive:
- Immediate benefits of health care coverage. Veterans may apply for VA health care enrollment at any time.
- No enrollment fee, monthly premiums or deductibles. Most veterans have no out-of-pocket costs. Some veterans may have a small co-payments for health care or prescription drugs.
- More than 1,700 places to get your care. This means your coverage can go with you if you travel or move.
Veterans Enrolled in VA Health Care
For those currently enrolled in VA health care programs, your health care coverage meets the requirements under the Affordable Care Act. You have met the requirement to have health insurance that began in 2014. You do not have to take any additional steps to get health care coverage.
Depending on your income, you may also qualify for free or low cost coverage from Health First Colorado . Find out more on our I Need Health Insurance.
Veterans Not Enrolled in VA Health Care
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Do Veterans Need Medicare
Technically, veterans do not need Medicare because many veterans qualify for VA benefits and TRICARE. However, a private insurance plan called a Medicare Advantage plan may offer supplemental benefits that you cant receive with just VA benefits.
For example, some Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 monthly premium and some even come with a fitness benefit. That could mean that your Medicare Advantage plan provides a gym membership. VA benefits and TRICARE do not.
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Can Veterans Enroll In Medicare
- If youre receiving Social Security benefits at least four months before you turn 65, youll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, Medicare coverage starts on the first day of the previous month. Otherwise, your coverage starts the first day of the month you turn 65.
- If you wont receive Social Security benefits at least four months before you turn 65, then you wont automatically get Medicare coverage. Youll have to enroll in Medicare on your own.
- If you have private insurance or some other type of health coverage, you may want to enroll in Medicare to expand your coverage and possibly reduce your out-of-pocket medical expenses. When you turn 65, you should enroll in Medicare Part A if you are eligible based on 10 quarters of taxable work history. If you or your spouse are covered by a current employer group health plan, you may defer Part B coverage without incurring late enrollment penalties or delayed coverage in the future.
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Is Champva Medicare Or Medicaid
CHAMPVA is always the secondary payer to Medicare. If you are eligible for Medicare, at any age and for any reason, you must enroll in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B to keep your CHAMPVA benefits. Social Security Administration documentation of enrollment in both Part A and Part B is required by CHAMPVA.
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How To Apply For Medicare And Veterans Benefits
Veterans interested in applying for VA medical coverage can complete the process online. To assist in this application process, veterans will need their discharge papers, most recent tax return, and Social Security numbers for themselves and any dependents. They should also have access to account numbers for currently held insurance .
Adults 65 and older can apply for Medicare through the U.S. Social Security website. Seniors should have tax documents and their Social Security number on hand.
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Prescription Drug Coverage Through Va Benefits Or Medicare Part D
If you have both VA and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, you have the option of using either to pay for your prescriptions.
VA drug coverage is usually less expensive than a Medicare Part D plan. As long as you have VA drug coverage, you can put off buying a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan without having to pay a penalty.
Things for Veterans to Consider About Medicare Part D Drug Coverage
- If you use your VA prescription drug coverage, you have to use the VAs mail-order pharmacy.
- Medicare Part D may also pay for medications that the VA doesnt cover.
- If you ever lose VA coverage, you have two months to sign up for Medicare Part D before the late enrollment penalty kicks in.
If you have Original Medicare you may be able to find a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan with low or no monthly premiums.
Combining Va Benefits Medicare And A Medigap Plan
Just because you have both VA benefits and Medicare doesnt mean all of your medical costs will be covered free-of-charge.
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In addition to the 2022 Medicare Part A deductible of $1,556 per benefit period, coinsurance for hospital stays lasting longer than 60 days starts at $389 per day in 2022.
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Moreover, after meeting your 2022 Part B deductible of $233 per year, you will likely be responsible for covering 20% of your medical costs.
A veteran may choose to supplement their Medicare coverage with a privately administered Medigap Insurance plan , which helps cover the out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare, such as deductibles, copayments, coinsurance and other fees.
Whether or not VA benefits alone provide enough coverage will depend on the individual and his or her unique medical needs. It’s a good idea to speak to someone about your VA benefits to determine if you need a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan.
For more information about Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, call to speak with a licensed health insurance agent today.
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Can Veterans With Va Benefits Have Medicare
Veterans Benefits are offered to people who have served in active duty for at least 24 months of continuous service and were released under normal conditions, i.e., other conditions apart from a dishonorable discharge.
Enrolling in Medicare
It is possible for veterans to enroll for Medicare if they have turned 65. Veterans can have the two health plans even though they do not work together, but alongside each other.
Coverage
VA benefits offer some benefits not covered under Medicare, such as long-term nursing care and dental coverage. Veterans can also receive coverage if they visit a VA facility or have received prior authorization to receive care at a non-VA facility. Medicare coverage can help if you are taken to a non-VA facility during an emergency.
Also, it is better to enroll for Medicare Part B during the Initial Enrollment Period. If you later decide to change your mind, you may have to pay the late enrollment penalty. However, Medicare does not provide coverage if you receive care at a VA facility. VA benefits will also not provide coverage if you receive care at a Medicare or non-VA approved facility. The two plans do not overlap. Having the two plans may give you a wide range of healthcare options.
In summary, veterans can have both VA benefits and Medicare. However, the two systems work independently.
For more information about obtaining Medicare while having VA benefits, reach out to Turning 65 Solutions today.
Va Coverage And Medicare Advantage Plans
Posted November 11, 2021 by Sue Titterington Vice President, Sales & Market Development
If youre eligible for Medicare and are a Veteran, youre probably receiving a lot of information from Medicare plans since were now in the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period The AEP is from October 15 through December 7 and this is when most Medicare-eligibles select their coverage for the coming year.
If youre currently using VA health care, you may have questions about whether you should supplement your VA health care with a Medicare Advantage plan. While everyones needs are different, in many instances, enrolling in an MA plan may be a good option.
Below are some things to consider as you review your options:
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How Do Medicare Advantage And Va Benefits Work Together
After serving our country in a branch of the US military, many veterans are entitled to health benefits through the VA. However, VA doctors and hospitals are not always convenient options. The vast majority of retired veterans also qualify for Medicare Part A and Part B, and many also choose to maximize those benefits with a Medicare Advantage plan or the addition of a Medicare supplement.
The good news is that retired veterans may even have more choices about ways to control and access health services than others. At Trusted Senior Specialists, we can help you find the best plan for your unique situation. Please contact us at your earliest convenience for guidance.
Should you enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B if you get VA health benefits?
In fact, according to a press release from Blue Cross, veterans should not decline Medicare benefits just because they get VA health benefits. Their reasoning includes:
- The VA actually recommends that veterans enroll in both Part A and Part B of Medicare because they are entitled to these benefits and they may complement VA benefits.
- Additionally, there are no guarantees that VA coverage will continue in the future the way that it has in the past.
Medicare supplements work differently, and they supplement Medicare Part A and B to fill in coverage gaps for things that Part A and B do not cover.