Can you have Medicare and VA benefits at the same time?
Asked by: Jasper Grimes | Last update: July 20, 2023Score: 4.3/5 (66 votes)
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.
Do VA benefits interfere with Medicare?
Having VA benefits does not affect Medicare costs. You can qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A coverage, but you'll likely have to pay premiums or a monthly fee for your other Medicare coverage depending on your plan.
Is VA insurance primary over Medicare?
The VA pays for VA-authorized services or items . For active-duty military enrolled in Medicare, TRICARE pays first for Medicare- covered services or items, and Medicare pays second . For inactive-duty military enrolled in Medicare, Medicare pays first and TRICARE may pay second .
Does VA pay for Medicare Part B?
Medicare does not pay for any care that you receive at a VA facility. According to MedicareInteractive: In order for Medicare to cover your care, you must receive care at a Medicare-certified facility that works with your Medicare coverage.
Can you have medical and VA benefits?
If you have other forms of health care coverage (like a private insurance plan, Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE), you can use VA health care benefits along with these plans.
VA or Medicare? Do you need both?
What happens to my VA disability when I turn 65?
Even after veterans reach full retirement age, VA's disability payments continue at the same level. By contrast, the income that people receive after they retire (from Social Security or private pensions) usually is less than their earnings from wages and salary before retirement.
Do veterans get free healthcare for life?
You can get free VA health care for any illness or injury that we determine is related to your military service (called “service connected”). We also provide certain other services for free.
Do I need Medicare Part D if I have VA benefits?
No. Drug coverage from the VA (Veterans Affairs) is considered creditable prescription drug coverage, which means the coverage is at least as good as what Medicare drug plans provide, so you do not need to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan.
How can you lose your VA benefits?
VA disability compensation payments are reduced if a Veteran is convicted of a felony and imprisoned for more than 60 days. Veterans rated 20 percent or more are limited to the 10 percent disability rate. For a Veteran whose disability rating is 10 percent, the payment is reduced by one-half.
What disqualifies you from VA benefits?
If you've received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge, you may not be eligible for VA benefits.
Why do military retirees have to pay for Medicare?
By law, TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select end at age 65. This requires service retirees to enroll in Medicare at age 65 to maintain a major health care plan and our TRICARE benefits. TRICARE For Life (TFL) acts as our Medicare supplement, and TFL allows us to continue using the TRICARE pharmacy.
Will I lose my VA disability if I go to a nursing home?
The VA may pay all or part of the nursing home costs for disabled and elderly veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides both short-term and long-term care in nursing homes to veterans who aren't sick enough to be in the hospital but are too disabled or elderly to take care of themselves.
What is the best Medicare plan for military retirees?
Military retirees with TRICARE For Life coverage may consider the AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot Plan. This plan provides the freedom to visit doctors and hospitals in our network for a $0 monthly premium and additional benefits that may include: Monthly credits applied to your Medicare Part B premium.
Is VA insurance always primary?
VA health benefits always provide primary coverage in VA facilities. If you have VA benefits and become eligible for Medicare, you should consider the benefits of both types of insurance and whether you should enroll in Medicare now or delay enrollment—and the potential consequences of delayed enrollment.
Can a veteran have a health savings account?
What's changing for veterans? Following an amendment made earlier this year, veterans and their employers are eligible to contribute to an HSA, if: * The veteran's hospital care or medical services are for service-connected disability. * All other HSA eligibility requirements are met.
What is the VA 10 year rule?
The VA disability 10-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot eliminate a disability rating that has been in place for at least 10 years unless there is evidence of fraud. This 10-year period is calculated from the effective date of VA's original grant for service connection.
What is the VA 55 year rule?
THE 55 YEARS OLD RULE - Applies to veterans over the age of 55. Specifically, it states that if you are 55 years old, then federal guidelines dictate that you should be exempt from reexamination, except in rare circumstances or by regulation.
Are VA benefits for life?
If VA assigns you a 100% rating, it has the option of also designating you permanently and totally disabled. If you receive this designation, your benefits are safe for the rest of your life. The only exception is if VA later determines you obtained your benefits via fraud.
How much do VA prescriptions cost?
The tiered structure established copayments for 30-day prescriptions at $5 for Tier 1 (top 75 generics), $8 for Tier 2 (all other generics) and $11 for Tier 3 (sole source/brand name). Veterans in Priority Groups 2 through 8 are limited to a $700 annual copayment cap.
Are VA benefits better than Medicare?
You may be subject to penalties in the future.
VA coverage for prescriptions is typically less expensive than Medicare Part D drug plans, and you won't be hit with late penalties if you lose VA coverage in the future, provided that you sign up with a Part D plan within two months of that coverage ending.
Can you make too much money to qualify for VA benefits?
If your health care eligibility is based on financial need, your family net worth (over $80,000) can prevent you from qualifying for VA health care. For more information, click here.
How long do VA health benefits last?
You can receive free VA health care for up to 5 years after discharge or release for any condition related to your service in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation New Dawn (OND) in Iraq.
Can I get VA pension and Social Security?
Your military pension does not affect your Social Security benefits. You'll get your full Social Security benefit based on your earnings. Survivors benefits may affect benefits payable under the optional Department of Defense Survivors Benefit Plan.
How often is VA disability reviewed?
VA usually reevaluates veterans' service-connected disabilities on two occasions: Six months after leaving military service; and. Between two and five years from the date of the decision to grant VA disability benefits.
How much extra Social Security Do veterans get?
For those who served between 1957 and 1977, credits equal $300 for each quarter of active-duty pay. Those serving between 1978 and 2001 receive credits equal to an additional $100 in earnings for each $300 they receive in active-duty pay (total credits may not exceed $1,200 a year).