![]() ![]() You aren’t required to buy Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage if you have VA health benefits. If I have VA drug coverage, do I need Medicare Part D? In this case, you can choose to delay and not face a late enrollment penalty. An exception: if you or your spouse is still working and you have health insurance from a current employer. 1 to March 31 each year, and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty. If you don’t sign up for Medicare during your initial enrollment period at age 65, you may have to wait until the next general enrollment period that runs Jan. You might move to another area farther from a VA facility or want to go to a doctor outside the VA system. Your health care needs could change, too. Think about the future. Even if you’re happy with your VA coverage, financing for the VA health care system could change, especially for veterans at lower priority levels. If you have a lower priority level, you may need to make copayments for doctor’s visits, specialty tests such as MRIs, and inpatient hospital stays not related to your service-connected disability.įor more information about the different kinds of health benefits available for veterans, active-duty service members and military retirees and their families, see AARP’s Veterans Health Benefits Navigator. Your priority level can affect your eligibility for certain VA services and treatments, such as dental care. The groups range from a priority of 1 - for Medal of Honor recipients and veterans with service-connected illnesses or injuries rated to be at least 50 percent disabling - down to 8 - for veterans whose gross income exceeds VA limits and don’t have a service-connected disability qualifying them for VA compensation. The ratings are designed to ensure that veterans who need immediate care are assigned quickly. If the VA authorized only some services you need at a non-VA facility, Medicare can help with the additional costs.Ĭoverage varies. When you apply for VA health care, you’re assigned to a priority group that determines your coverage and out-of-pocket costs within the VA system. The VA occasionally pays for care from some providers not within its network, but only if you receive permission in advance. The rules are different for coordinating Medicare and Tricare for Life coverage for military retirees. VA health benefits typically won’t cover hospitals, doctors and other providers that participate in Medicare, nor will they cover Medicare deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. VA health benefits cover services at VA hospitals and other locations within its system. VA health benefits and Medicare are two separate systems. How does Medicare work with VA health benefits? If you want to sign up for Medicare later, you may have to wait to enroll and pay a late penalty. VA health benefits provide coverage for care in VA clinics and hospitals, but the coverage generally doesn't extend to non-VA facilities and doctors.Įven if you’re happy with your VA health care benefits, your medical needs or the VA health system’s costs and coverage could change. That way, you’ll have more options for care. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but the VA encourages veterans to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B during your initial enrollment period at 65, unless you also have group insurance from a current employer. ![]() En español | You aren’t required to sign up for Medicare if you have health care coverage through the U.S. ![]()
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