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Question: What else do I need as I am a veteran, and I have Medicare Part A & B?
Answer: Your military service gives you the title of veteran and Thank You for your Service. Not all veterans sign up for additional benefits upon discharge. As a veteran, you could be eligible for medical care through the Veterans Administration clinics and hospitals or eligible for a veteran pension.
Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties both have Veteran Service Agencies as part of their county governments which help veterans sign up for benefits, medical and financial. Chautauqua County Veteran Service Agency can be reached at (716) 661-8255. Cattaraugus County Veteran Service Agency can be reached at (716) 701-3298. These agencies provide assistance to veterans who want to apply for medical benefits, pension benefits or disability benefits. The staff is also available to answer questions related to VA programs available in our region.
Being a veteran does not mean you have applied for veterans benefits. If you are using the VA healthcare system already, great. If you haven't applied, reach out to the Veteran Service Agencies and ask them to help you through the application process.
If you have already registered for the VA Healthcare system and are using it, you could stop there. The VA Healthcare system provides you with medical care at its facilities and prescription drug coverage that is considered creditable coverage.
Your Medicare Part A & B coverage allows you to use almost any hospital or provider within the United States. You would have deductibles and co-pays for medical care as you access the Medicare system. Depending on your status, your VA Healthcare system may or may not have co-pays for care. Your mail order medications will cost no more than $9 per month or $27 for a 90-day supply.
You may also decide to enroll in additional insurance that would work within the Medicare system, and provides for services outside of the VA Healthcare system. When you sign up for Medicare A & B, you can evaluate many health insurance plans available to people with Medicare. The Medicare Advantage Plans are usually inexpensive with regard to premiums and often come with prescription drug coverage that can be used at local and national pharmacies. This type of coverage would be in addition to your veteran health and medical benefits.
Another option available is to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan as secondary medical benefits and even an additional prescription Drug Plan. This pathway tends to have a higher monthly premium, but lower costs as you access healthcare.
If you are a veteran who is eligible for TriCare for Life with Medicare Part A & B, you have all the coverage you need and does not require you sign up for additional coverage of any type. If you are a veteran or family of a veteran with ChampVA, and you sign up for Medicare A & B you have all the coverage you need and does NOT require you sign up for additional coverage of any type.
The Medicare system provides an Annual Open Enrollment Period to change your insurance coverage, which is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, each year. There are also special enrollment periods throughout the year for qualifying situations, allowing you to change your insurance choices if you meet the necessary criteria.
Senior Life Matters is a community-based program sponsored by Lutheran Jamestown. For questions and concerns or to reach Janell Sluga, GCMC, call (716) 720-9797 or e-mail SLM@lutheran-jamestown.org.