Medicare and the VA

You can have both Medicare and VA benefits but they do not work together. When you are turning 65, it is often advisable to join Parts A and B since it covers inpatient hospitalizations, hospice, skilled nursing care and outpatient care from non-VA providers. While you’re at a VA facility only your VA will pay for the benefits. In order for your Medicare to cover your care, you must receive care at a Medicare-certified facility.

If you have both Medicare and VA benefits, you are eligible for treatment under either program. You must select which system to use each time you receive any form of healthcare. Medicare only pays for care delivered by Medicare-certified facilities. To get the VA to pay for services, you must go to a VA facility or have the VA authorize services in a non-VA facility. If the VA authorizes services in a non-VA hospital but doesn’t pay for all of the services you get during your hospital stay, then Medicare may pay for a portion of Medicare-covered services.

Many of our VA clients are satisfied with the care they receive at their VA facility and choose to select a Medicare Advantage (Part C) to help cover cost they may incur at any civilian facilities. These plans usually have a low to zero monthly premium so you don’t have to worry about an extra monthly expense. Others may elect a Medicare supplement to cover the cost not covered by Medicare at a Medicare-certified facility.

Some veterans also use their VA benefits to cover prescription medications. The VA’s drug coverage often offers better prescription drug benefits than what is available under Medicare (Part D), especially with brand name medications. Because Medicare considers the VA’s prescription drug coverage to be creditable, meaning it is as good or better than Medicare’s prescription drug benefit, veterans can delay enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan without penalty. Keep in mind that although you can have both Medicare Part D and VA drug coverage, the two do not work together. VA benefits only cover medications you get from VA pharmacies and Part D plans usually only cover medications you get from pharmacies that are within the plan’s network.

To learn more about how your VA benefits work with Medicare or how you might be able to save money on yourFlorida Medicare Part B premiumsplease feel to contactSun Coast Legacy Advisors P.L.at(888) 455-5799.

Bill Gay: