For veterans
Veterans and Medicare
If you have VA health care and are eligible for Medicare, you are not required to enroll. But the VA itself strongly recommends enrolling in Parts A and B as soon as you are eligible. Here is why.
- Reason 1
VA health coverage is not set in stone, and is not the same for everyone
The VA assigns enrollees to different priority levels according to various factors, such as income and whether they have a medical condition that derives from their military service. If federal funding for VA health care drops or does not keep pace with costs, some veterans in the lower priority groups may lose VA coverage entirely.
- Reason 2
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 may end up having to pay the full cost yourself, even in emergencies. With Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan, you will have coverage if you need to go to a non-VA provider as long as they are in network. This is especially worth considering if you live some distance from the nearest VA facility.
- Reason 3
You may be subject to penalties in the future
At some point, when you are 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 do not have insurance through an employer or other source, you will 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.
Medicare Advantage alongside your VA benefits
Medicare Advantage plans with $0 premiums can be a great option with your VA benefits. You can play both sides. In addition, your Medicare Advantage plan may give you additional benefits like dental, vision, hearing, gym membership and over-the-counter credit. Let us help you search for a good secondary plan to your VA benefits.
Which plans are available, and at what premium, depends on your Arizona ZIP code. Comparing them is what we do at no cost to you. See how the plan types differ, or ask a licensed agent to run the numbers.
Veteran questions
- I am a veteran with health care coverage from the VA system. Do I need Medicare as well?
- If you have coverage through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and are eligible for Medicare, you are not required to enroll in a secondary plan, 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.
- Can I use a Medicare Advantage plan alongside my VA benefits?
- Yes. Medicare Advantage plans with $0 premiums can be a good option alongside your VA benefits, and your Medicare Advantage plan may include additional benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, gym membership and over-the-counter credit. A licensed agent can help you search for a good secondary plan to your VA benefits.
- What happens if I skip Part B and change my mind later?
- If you are not already signed up for Part B and do not have coverage through an employer or another source, you will likely have to wait for coverage, and you could be liable for late penalties permanently added to your Part B premiums.
Talk to an agent about combining VA benefits and Medicare
No cost, no obligation, and no pressure. Tell us how to reach you and we will help you compare every plan available in your ZIP code.
Or explore our Medicare FAQs and latest articles.