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.
·
In order for Medicare to cover your
care, you must receive care at a Medicare-certified facility that
works with your Medicare coverage.
·
VA benefits will not pay for
Medicare cost-sharing (deductibles, copayments, coinsurances).
Note: If the
VA authorizes services in a non-VA hospital, but does not pay for all the
services you get during your hospital stay, Medicare may pay for
Medicare-covered services the VA does not pay for.
If you chose not to enroll in Medicare and to keep your VA
coverage, you will not have health insurance for facilities outside
the VA health system. Some choose to enroll in Medicare Part A because
it’s premium-free but turn down Part B because of the additional
monthly premium. If you want to enroll in Medicare in the future, you may
face penalties and would likely have to wait
to enroll during the General Enrollment Period (GEP). You will not
be eligible for the Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if
you delay Medicare enrollment.
If you decide to enroll in Part B, you should do so during
your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Enrolling in
Part B provides you with the flexibility of getting health care outside the VA
system. Also, you may qualify for programs to help pay the Part B premium and
Medicare cost-sharing. Remember that you can keep your VA health benefits to
get coverage for health care services and items not covered by Medicare, such as
over-the-counter medications, annual physical exams, and hearing aids. Also be
sure to think over your drug coverage options when deciding
whether or not to delay Medicare enrollment.
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