If you get medical care at a VA hospital, your VA benefits will generally cover the costs. This is because the VA uses providers who are covered under the plan, so you won’t necessarily need the institution to submit any claims to Medicare. However, Medicare can also cover services included with your VA medical benefits.
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Do I need Medicare if I have veterans benefits?
The answer is that you could probably benefit from having both VA benefits and Medicare. The VA encourages you to consider enrolling in Medicare as soon as you’re eligible because Medicare and VA benefits don’t work together – and you may have to pay a penalty if you end up enrolling in Medicare later. VA health care benefits typically only cover services received at a VA facility, …
Does VA pay after Medicare?
Dec 10, 2019 · Use your Medicare benefits instead of your VA medical benefits. You might prefer this option if you don’t have the money to pay up front for services rendered as described in the second option. Try VA benefits drug plans Unfortunately, many patients fail to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan on time. When this happens, they have to pay a penalty.
How veterans can make sense of Medicare and VA benefits?
Jun 30, 2021 · VA Health Care is premium-free and deductible-free, and for some veterans it covers services that Medicare does not. However, access to care can sometimes be an issue, and coverage is not guaranteed from year to year. Signing up for Medicare, if you can afford it, could assure you have the coverage you need.
Does the VA accept Medicare?
Jul 13, 2021 · Therefore, it is beneficial to enroll in the hospital insurance you earned through Medicare. However, like other beneficiaries, veterans with VA benefits will need to pay a standard Medicare Part B premium for Medicare’s outpatient coverage. You will want to enroll in Medicare Part B as soon as you are eligible.
Do I need Medicare if I am covered by the VA?
If you have VA benefits, you do not have to enroll in Medicare in order to keep your VA benefits. That being said, the Veterans Administration actually recommends veterans enroll in Medicare when they become eligible.
Can I use VA and Medicare together?
You can have both Medicare and Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, but Medicare and VA benefits do not work together. Medicare does not pay for any care that you receive at a VA facility. In order for your VA coverage to cover your care, you must generally receive health care services at a VA facility.
Can I lose my VA benefits?
If you have been receiving service-connected benefits for ten years or longer, your benefits receive special protection from termination. The VA cannot terminate these benefits unless you committed fraud or unless the VA made a "clear and unmistakable error" in granting you benefits (CUE).
How do I get the VA to pay for prescriptions?
Calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387) Monday - Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET. Using the self-service Kiosks available at their local VA health care facility.
How to file a VA claim?
The process varies depending on the provider’s preferences: 1 The provider can file the claim with the VA, and you only pay any applicable deductibles. You can also choose to use your Medicare benefits. 2 You pay for the fees relating to the services you received, then submit your own claim to the VA. This option takes longer, but it might prove necessary if you can’t get to a VA hospital. 3 Use your Medicare benefits instead of your VA medical benefits. You might prefer this option if you don’t have the money to pay up front for services rendered as described in the second option.
Can Medicare pay for MRI?
If you use Medicare to help pay for an MRI scan, for instance, the VA won’t pick up the rest of the cost. When you get treatment, try to determine which benefits will allow you to pay the least money out of pocket. Deciphering your Medicare and VA benefits options can prove tricky, especially if you’re new to the process.
Do you have to pay a penalty for Medicare Part D?
Unfortunately, many patients fail to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan on time. When this happens, they have to pay a penalty. If you have VA coverage, there is a good way to avoid the penalty.
Does Medicare cover VA hospital?
If you get medical care at a VA hospital, your VA benefits will generally cover the costs. This is because the VA uses providers who are covered under the plan, so you won’t necessarily need the institution to submit any claims to Medicare. However, Medicare can also cover services included with your VA medical benefits.
What are the benefits of VA?
Hearing and vision coverage is offered to veterans with the following: 2 1 Compensable service-related disability 2 Functional or cognitive impairment that decreases the ability to perform activities of daily living 3 Permanent homebound status 4 Prisoner of War 5 Purple Heart 6 Service-related hearing disability with a loss of communication ability 7 Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1151 benefits 8 Vision and/or hearing impairment related to a condition managed at the VA (e.g., cataracts, diabetes, stroke) 9 Vision and/or hearing impairment that interferes with the veteran’s medical treatment
Is VA health insurance deductible free?
A Word From Verywell. VA Health Care is premium-free and deductible-free, and for some veterans it covers services that Medicare does not. However, access to care can sometimes be an issue, and coverage is not guaranteed from year to year.
Do you pay monthly premiums for VA?
While you may pay monthly premiums and annual deductibles for each part of Medicare, the same does not hold true for VA Health Care. There are no monthly premiums or deductibles for VA care. There are, however, copays to be paid.
Does Medicare cover dental care?
Coverage: Medicare vs. VA Health Care. Medicare does not cover everything. What especially stands out is that they do not pay for routine dental care or dentures, routine hearing exams or hearing aids, or routine vision exams or corrective lenses.
Is VA funding guaranteed?
Funding for VA Health Care is not guaranteed. The Department of Veterans Affairs submits a budget to the federal government every year, but there is no guarantee that the requested dollar amount will be appropriated. A lower budget could mean reduced coverage or loss of coverage altogether for people in lower priority groups.
Is Medicare Part D good?
Medicare Part D. VA prescription drug coverage is seen as creditable, i.e., as good as Medicare. For this reason, you would not face late penalties if you signed up for a Medicare Part D plan at a later time. Still, there could be benefits to enrolling in a Part D plan.
Is Medicare dependent on age?
Medicare for end-stage renal disease has its own set of requirements. VA Health Care eligibility, on the other hand, is not dependent on age or disability. It is determined based on service. People who served in the active military, naval, or air service are eligible if: They served before September 7, 1980.
Does Medicare cover veterans?
As you know, Veteran benefits only apply to Veterans’ facilities and doctors. So, if you want to see a civilian doctor, Medicare can help with some of the costs. Having both Medicare and Veterans benefits gives you the opportunity to see a wide range of doctors and specialists. The Veterans Association recommends you enroll in Part A ...
Who is Lindsay Malzone?
Lindsay Malzone is the Medicare expert for MedicareFAQ. She has been working in the Medicare industry since 2017. She is featured in many publications as well as writes regularly for other expert columns regarding Medicare.
How to enroll in Medicare Advantage?
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: 1 VA coverage includes its own drug formulary (a list of drugs covered by the plan). 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. 2 A drug prescribed by a doctor at a non-VA facility may not be covered by VA benefits without authorization. 3 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. 4 If you qualify for Medicare Extra Help, your overall drug costs may be lower with a Part D plan than under VA coverage.
What happens if you don't sign up for Medicare Part B?
If you do not sign up for Medicare Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period, you may be subject to late enrollment penalties if you decide to sign up later on.
Does Medicare cover veterans?
Medicare covers veterans in the same way as it covers most other Medicare beneficiaries. But there are a few things that veterans of the armed forces should know about Medicare. 1. Medicare and VA coverage do not coordinate benefits. Medicare and VA (Veterans Affairs) insurance do not coordinate coverage. The only instance in which the two programs ...
Is Medicare Advantage good for veterans?
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 doesn’t.
Who is Christian Worstell?
Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareAdvantage.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options. .. Read full bio
Does my current health insurance status affect whether I can get VA health care benefits?
No. Whether or not you have health insurance coverage doesn’t affect the VA health care benefits you can get.
Health care benefits eligibility
Not sure if you qualify? Find out if you can get VA health care benefits.
Health needs and conditions
Find out how to access VA services for mental health, women’s health, and other specific needs.
Disability benefits
Have an illness or injury that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service? Find out if you can get disability compensation (monthly payments) from VA.
Do you need Medicare Part B if you have VA benefits?
Medicare Part B is coverage for doctors and outpatient services. Generally, most care you need that’s not inpatient care is covered under Medicare Part B.
Do I need Medicare Part D (a Medicare drug plan) if I have VA benefits?
If you have VA benefits, you also have a prescription drug benefit. However, as we mentioned before, you have to go to a VA doctor once a year to get that prescription renewed. You also must use the VA mail-order service. You can’t fill your prescriptions at a local pharmacy.
How does Medicare coordinate with VA benefits?
In short, there is no coordination of benefits between Medicare and VA benefits. They’re two completely separate entities.
Do I need a Medicare Supplement if I have VA benefits?
If you have Medicare – which is recommended even if you have VA benefits – we are going to recommend a Medicare Supplement (also called Medigap plan) to go with it.
What about VA benefits and Medicare Advantage plans?
You could also choose a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan if you wish, but it has one major issue – it too has networks.
How to contact VA insurance?
This is often best done through an independent insurance agent who has access to multiple insurance companies and their rates. Please call me (1-888-411-1329) if you have any questions about your VA benefits and Medicare Supplement. I look forward to speaking with you.
Why do veterans use VA benefits?
Some use VA benefits as to avoid the gaps in Medicare and the costs they would incur. On the flip side, there are also many Veterans who recognize that those gaps can be covered through Medicare Supplement insurance.
How does Medigap work?
Medigap plans come with a monthly premium that you pay to the insurance company. As a Medicare recipient, you are entitled to find a lower premium for the same Medigap Plan at anytime throughout the year. This is often best done through an independent insurance agent who has access to multiple insurance companies and their rates. ...
Is Medicare a back up option for VA?
Perhaps you have a conveniently located VA hospital, but it’s quality of care is not the highest compared to other hospitals in your area. Medicare is a back up option, but it still has gaps in coverage.
What happens if you don't enroll in Medicare Part B?
In addition, if you do not enroll into Part B when you are first eligible to do so, you will most likely incur a Part B premium penalty for each 12-month period you were without Medicare Part B coverage. In addition, you may also experience gaps in coverage .”.
Is Medicare a secondary payer?
It is important to note that Medicare is never the secondary payer after the VA.”. Daniels also notes that in order for the VA to pay for services, you must go to a VA facility or have the VA authorize services in a non-VA facility. “Medicare Part B may also pay for Medicare-covered services that the VA didn't authorize,” she says.
