Veteran Turning 65/Medical Benefits v. Medicare

[pianoman9701]

So, six months until I hit Golden Oldie. The phone won't stop ringing with people selling "Cheap Medicare". I recently received my VA ID, as I said in a previous thread. I have a 10% service-related disability. I had no idea of what coverage I actually have and called the VA today to find out. Here's what I found out:

100% total medical coverage...everything including surgery and hospital stays. No copay. Service outside the VA must be approved and then, no copay.
Pharmacy 30 day supply - 1st tier (generic)/$5 copay, 2nd tier (generic and OTC)/$8 co-pay, 3rd tier (name brand scripts)/$11 copay

I'm floored and so thankful. I don't have to worry about the whole Medicare and what parts I need to pay for each month. What a huge load off.

[GASoline71]

That's awesome.    I retired from Active Duty back in '06 and have been on Tricare Prime since I retired.  I also have a VA disability but have not had to use the VA as Tricare picks up pretty much everything I need at a fraction of what "regular" insurance would cost me. 

I'm 54 and still have a ways to go to the "Golden Age".    Not sure if we want to go Tricare For Life and use Medicare as a backup? Or if we can do both at the same time?  Or if I can use VA benefits as well by then?  Got 9 more years to figure it all out.  I'll Retire from the DoD in 2028 about 2 months before my 60th birthday.

Gary

[pianoman9701]

You're just a whippersnapper then! I don't think I'm eligible for Tricare because I'm not retired - just a three-year service.

[.300SAVAGE]

  Received my 100% disability 2 1/2 yrs ago after 3yrs of appeals and record searches. I'm 73 and have kept my medicare "just in case". Maybe I should look into opting out and save the $130 a month. What do you think?

[Bob33]

That's great Pianoman. It also means you don't need to call Joe Namath to see if your zip code qualifies.

[wadu1]

Thanks' John. That is some info I didn't know about. I think you qualify as a whippersnapper . My birth year is 1952 so I must have ten years on you. I'm also 10% but looking into getting that upped to 40%, that would almost fill my fuel tank.

[cooltimber]

  Received my 100% disability 2 1/2 yrs ago after 3yrs of appeals and record searches. I'm 73 and have kept my medicare "just in case". Maybe I should look into opting out and save the $130 a month. What do you think?  {{{{ keep the backup..Ive had to use it,cause the Hospital did not have a clue what to do. Then you get ahold of the VA and they will take over. But keep your Medicare.}}}

[.300SAVAGE]

 Thanks for your advice on this.

[pianoman9701]

That's great Pianoman. It also means you don't need to call Joe Namath to see if your zip code qualifies.

[pianoman9701]

  Received my 100% disability 2 1/2 yrs ago after 3yrs of appeals and record searches. I'm 73 and have kept my medicare "just in case". Maybe I should look into opting out and save the $130 a month. What do you think?

I don't know. I think your VA hospital is probably in Seattle. Do you currently drive that far for medical? Have you used that VA facility? I live very near the closest VA clinics at Ft. Vancouver and Portland is the main hospital for the system, a great hospital with high marks. Do you have co-pays on meds with Medicare and how do they compare?

These are important considerations before dropping a cost of $130/mo., I would think.

[Southpole]

  Received my 100% disability 2 1/2 yrs ago after 3yrs of appeals and record searches. I'm 73 and have kept my medicare "just in case". Maybe I should look into opting out and save the $130 a month. What do you think?  {{{{ keep the backup..Ive had to use it,cause the Hospital did not have a clue what to do. Then you get ahold of the VA and they will take over. But keep your Medicare.}}}

  The husband is 100% and has va medical, Medicare and usaa supplemental. Might be over doing it but the way we have seen the inefficiency of the va we’re too scared to let the other backup medical go.

[pianoman9701]

Thanks' John. That is some info I didn't know about. I think you qualify as a whippersnapper . My birth year is 1952 so I must have ten years on you. I'm also 10% but looking into getting that upped to 40%, that would almost fill my fuel tank.

Only 5 years, my friend. We're getting to the age when that's no difference at all.

[.300SAVAGE]

 I went to Spokane for 4 years for cancer treatment, but they sent me to community health in Wenatchee. I live in Leavenworth. Saves me a 3 1/2 hr drive each way!
   Everything  paid for and no copays.

[Dysfunctional Vet]

In my case, medically retired and then put on SSA. Medicare was required to keep my VA benefits and tricare. The VA and tricare really want to be the secondary insurance and not primary.

[pianoman9701]

In my case, medically retired and then put on SSA. Medicare was required to keep my VA benefits and tricare. The VA and tricare really want to be the secondary insurance and not primary.

This is different information than I received from them yesterday. I'll have to look into that. Thank you.

[follow maggie]

  Received my 100% disability 2 1/2 yrs ago after 3yrs of appeals and record searches. I'm 73 and have kept my medicare "just in case". Maybe I should look into opting out and save the $130 a month. What do you think?

I’ve used both Medicare & the VA. The private practice doctors provide much higher quality care than the VA.

[Brushbuster]

I recently signed up for VA health care so I am still learning about what it will cover. I already have Kaiser Permanente through my State Retirement & Medicare. I know the VA pays better on some of my medical stuff, but I am reluctant to drop Kaiser. ($178pm). It seems like the VA takes longer to be seen. It will be 2 1/2 months before I have my first intake appt with a dr/pa. Learning as I go.

[Encore 280]

If you need help with getting disability paperwork started and submitted have DAV give you a helping hand. They did all my paperwork and submitted it. I'm more than happy with them.

[Brushbuster]

If you need help with getting disability paperwork started and submitted have DAV give you a helping hand. They did all my paperwork and submitted it. I'm more than happy with them.

For me: Paperwork & exams are completed just waiting on the VA to review them. I quickly learned you want to use a VSO that is knowledgeable & you are comfortable working with. They are volunteers & vary in their skill level. Right now I am using State of WA Veterans Admin that did my initial claim in 2007. 

[tankcdr66]

Once you hit social security age you go on Medicare as your primary medical coverage and any other medical insurance (TRICARE, VA, Blue Cross, etc) become the secondary payer.  Hope this helps.

Tony
COL, USA Retired

[pianoman9701]

Once you hit social security age you go on Medicare as your primary medical coverage and any other medical insurance (TRICARE, VA, Blue Cross, etc) become the secondary payer.  Hope this helps.

Tony
COL, USA Retired

Thanks, Tony.