Medicare vs. VA
If you have VA benefits, you can receive treatment using either program. However, both programs do not work together. That means if you go to a VA hospital for your healthcare,
Medicare is not responsible for paying for those services and vice versa. The good news is you have the option of using a regular doctor that accepts Medicare using your Medicare plan, or you can utilize your VA benefits at a VA facility. It is important to note that 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.
What if you don't enroll in Medicare?
If you choose not to enroll in Medicare and keep your VA benefits, you will not have health insurance coverage for any facilities outside of the VA.
Some people choose to keep their Part A – because for most people, that’s free – and turn down their Part B because it has a monthly premium. If you decide to change your mind at a later time after turning 65 and you want to enroll in Medicare, you may face some penalties that will be permanently added to your Part B premium, and you may have to wait to enroll.
What if you do enroll in Medicare?
What do you do if you do choose to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65? If you do decide to enroll in Part B, you can do so within the seven-month window of turning 65. This begins the three months before your birthday month, the month of your birthday, and three months following your birthday month. By enrolling in Medicare, this allows you more flexibility in receiving healthcare services outside of the VA system.
If you have any more questions about Medicare and VA benefits, feel free to contact our office at 888- 9509-1028.
Advantage for Veterans
So, you're turning 65, and you have VA benefits, but you're not sure if you should enroll
in Medicare. Hi, I'm Jessica Manion at My Healthcare Direct, and I'm going to be going over
how Medicare works with VA benefits, as well as some other important information you should know before deciding on whether or not you should enroll in Medicare.
Medicare vs. VA
If you have VA benefits, you can receive treatment using either program. However, both programs do not work together. That means if you go to a VA hospital for your healthcare,
Medicare is not responsible for paying for those services and vice versa. The good news is you have the option of using a regular doctor that accepts Medicare using your Medicare plan, or you can utilize your VA benefits at a VA facility. It is important to note that 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.
What if you don't enroll in Medicare?
If you choose not to enroll in Medicare and keep your VA benefits, you will not have health insurance coverage for any facilities outside of the VA.
Some people choose to keep their Part A - because for most people, that's free - and turn down their Part B because it has a monthly premium. If you decide to change your mind at a later time
after turning 65 and you want to enroll in Medicare, you may face some penalties that will be
permanently added to your Part B premium, and you may have to wait to enroll.
What if you do enroll in Medicare?
What do you do if you do choose to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65? If you do decide to enroll in Part B, you can do so within the seven-month window of turning 65. This begins the three months before your birthday month, the month of your birthday, and three months following your birthday month. By enrolling in Medicare, this allows you more flexibility in receiving healthcare services outside of the VA system.
If you have any more questions about Medicare and VA benefits, feel free to contact our office at 888- 9509-1028.
Locations
Having two types of coverage will allow you access to two types of facilities. If you’re enrolled in both types of insurance mentioned, then you can seek treatment at both Medicare and VA approved facilities.