“VA does not recommend Veterans cancel or decline coverage in Medicare (or other health care insurance programs) solely because they are enrolled in VA health care. Unlike Medicare, which offers the same benefits for all enrollees, VA assigns enrollees to enrollment priority groups, based on a variety of eligibility factors, such as service-connection and income. There is no guarantee that in subsequent years Congress will appropriate sufficient medical care funds for VA to provide care for all enrollment priority groups. This could leave Veterans, especially those enrolled in one of the lower-priority groups, with no access to VA health care coverage. For this reason, having a secondary source of coverage may be in the Veteran’s best interest.” (https://iris.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3032/related/1)

“VA health care depends primarily on annual Congressional appropriations, VA encourages veterans to retain any health care coverage they may already have, especially those in the lower enrollment priority groups. Veterans with private health insurance or with federally funded coverage through the Department of Defense (TRICARE), Medicare or Medicaid, may choose to use these sources of coverage as a supplement to their VA benefits.” (https://iris.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/555)

Veterans should seriously consider enrolling into Part B when first eligible to avoid the Part B premium penalty.

Yes, but having Medicare increases your health care delivery options. In many cases, it is more convenient for Veterans- especially those with lower priority groups. The VA may not cover medical services provided by non-VA physicians or non-VA facilities. Medicare will not cover medical services provided by the VA.

When you are enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B, you increase your healthcare options. You can now select Medicare Plans that allow you to use doctors and facilities outside the VA and closer to home.

There are some prescription drugs not on the VA formulary. Having a Medicare Part D plan may allow additional formulary drugs to be filled at your local retail pharmacy. You will also have the convenience of filling your local doctor prescriptions at a pharmacy close to home.