Veterans And Medicare - CSG Medicare Pros - Medicare In AZ

The following was adapted from an article entitled: "I am a veteran with health care coverage from the VA system. Do I need Medicare as well?" from the AARP Website: https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-qa-tool/does-medicare-work-with-veterans-coverage/

I’m A Veteran, Do I Need to Sign up for Medicare?

If you have coverage through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and are eligible for Medicare, you’re not required to enroll. But you may have good reasons to do so. The VA itself strongly recommends that veterans with VA health care also enroll in Medicare Parts A and B as soon as they become eligible (unless they have group insurance from a current employer).

VA health coverage isn’t set in stone and isn’t the same for everyone.

The VA assigns enrollees to different priority levels according to various factors, such as income and whether they have any medical condition that derives from their military service. If federal funding for VA health care drops or doesn’t keep pace with costs, some vets in the lower priority groups may lose VA coverage entirely.

Having both Medicare and VA benefits greatly widens your coverage.

VA coverage pays for medical services if you go to a VA hospital or doctor. If you need to go elsewhere, you’ll probably end up having to pay the full cost yourself, even in emergencies. With Medicare, you’re covered if you need to go to a non-VA provider. This is an especially important point to consider if you live some distance from the nearest VA facility.

Careful Medicare Planning for the Future

If not planned properly, you may be subject to penalties in the future. At some point, when you’re well past 65, you might lose VA coverage, or otherwise decide that you need Medicare. If you are not already signed up for Part B (and don’t have insurance through an employer or other source), you’ll likely have to wait a while for coverage, and you could be liable for late penalties that are permanently added to your Part B premiums.

Consult with an Experienced and Licensed Medicare Broker

The Medicare Agents at CSG Medicare Pros are experienced and Licensed Medicare Brokers specializing in Medicare Health Insurance providing Medicare (parts A and B), Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare Prescription (Part D) plans. We serve Medicare recipients in every county in Arizona including in the cities of Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Apache Junction, Gilbert, Tucson, Kingman, Bullhead City, Prescott, Flagstaff, Yuma, Sierra Vista and more. CSG Medicare Insurance Agents are independent, licensed and appointed with multiple insurance carriers to give you a wide variety of choice. For more information, call (480) 635-4050 or (928) 263-8500.