Medicare & Veterans Administration Guide
These are the sections of this guide that appear in order on this page.
- Medicare & VA – Important Facts To Know
- The Parts Of Medicare
- Medicare Advantage
- Standard Medicare Vs. Medicare Advantage
- Medicare Supplements
- Request Info On Available Plans & Benefits
- Featured Heroes Testimonials
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Guide Downloads
Starting Medicare With VA Benefits
As a Veteran who is newly eligible for Medicare, there’s things to learn and choices to make. Even though you’ll never lose your fighting spirit, you’re not the young man or woman that you were when you joined the military. The choices you make with Medicare can affect your health, happiness, finances, and peace of mind. This guide can help you simplify things so you can make the best decisions for you. Let’s start with some basic facts you need to know.
Facts To Know
- You are eligible to start Medicare the month that you turn 65.
- Medicare has a monthly premium of $164.90. There are ways to lower your monthly premium, read on or contact us.
- If you only have VA benefits (not Tricare), you have the option of opting out of Medicare Part B so you don’t have to pay the premium.
- The Veterans Administration doesn’t recommend opting out of Medicare Part B.
- If you do not take Medicare Part B when you’re first eligible, you may have a penalty if you choose to enroll later. At this point, the penalty may be too high and prohibit you from getting Medicare.
- Having Medicare will give you additional quality healthcare options. This can be especially useful for benefits not provided by the VA as well as treatment, second opinions, and emergency situations.
- As a Veteran you will have good options for your Medicare plan. There are even plans that can lower your monthly Medicare cost and give you more benefits (See down the page).
Note: If you also have Tricare (Retired Military), enrolling in Medicare A & B is required to maintain your benefits. You should review the Tricare section, Click Here to navigate or use the menu at the top.
Need To Know
“The VA does not recommend that veterans cancel or decline coverage in Medicare (or other health care or insurance programs) solely because they are enrolled in VA healthcare.” Source: VA.GOV
The Parts Of Medicare
Medicare has 5 parts, with the main ones being Parts A & B. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospitalization, skilled nursing facility, and home health care. Medicare Part B covers doctors care and outpatient treatment. At a minimum you’ll want parts A & B and you can select from the 3 other parts based on your wants & needs.
The Other 3 Parts
- Part C – More commonly known as Medicare Advantage, this is when you get Medicare through a private health plan. You have the choice of being covered directly through Medicare or a Private Insurer.
- Part D – Medicare prescription pharmacy benefits provided by private insurers.
- Medicare Supplements – These are insurance plans that supplement Medicare A & B. They are offered by private insurers and help cover medical costs.
In many cases the VA provides prescriptions at an affordable cost, however, in some cases it’s beneficial for you to have drug coverage under Medicare as well.
Medicare Advantage
How Veterans Get The Most Medicare Benefits & Lowest Monthly Cost
As a Medicare recipient, you have the choice of getting your benefits directly through the government (Original Medicare) or through Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage are health plans provided by private insurers. Both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage include Part A coverage for hospitalization and Part B for doctors & outpatient care. Original Medicare is “one size fits all” and the same for everyone in the country. Medicare Advantage can give you various choices that may be a better fit for your unique situation. The “Advantage” in Medicare Advantage is that they include more benefits than Original Medicare, at the same or lower monthly cost. Plus, there are plans designed for Veterans & family. The additional benefits you can get with Medicare Advantage include;
- Dental, Vision, and Hearing Aid coverage.
- Silver Sneakers – Gives you free access to exercise facilities and online exercise videos.
- Part B Giveback – This is a benefit included with some plans that gives you a monthly dollar amount to help you pay your Medicare cost.
- Prescription – There are Medicare Advantage options that include pharmacy coverage and some that do not. You have choices.
Need To Know
In most areas there are specific plans designed with Veterans & Military in mind. Because there are so many plans available, the best options for Veterans, Military, & their Families are often lost in the crowd. Request Info us and we’ll make it easier for you by helping you cut through all the clutter.
For questions & details on available programs
Medicare Advantage Vs. Original Medicare Comparison
To get a better idea of how Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare compare, here is a chart of the general features.
| Feature | Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Total Monthly Cost | $164.90 In 2023 | $40 – $164.90 in 2023 (Varies by plan) |
| Hospitalization & Doctor Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Max Out Of Pocket Protection | No | Yes |
| Rx Included? | No | Choices with and without Rx |
| Dental & Vision | No | Yes |
| Hearing Aid Benefits | No | Often Included |
| Gym & Health Club | No | Yes |
This table provides a general overview & comparison of Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage. Benefits & costs vary with different plans. Refer to plan specific documents such as the Summary of Benefits. Contact us for details.
Need To Know
How can I get more benefits and also pay less with Medicare Advantage? The simple answer is that Original Medicare is one size fits all for everyone in the country. Medicare Advantage has choices designed specifically for the Veteran population.
For questions & details on available programs
Medicare Supplements
How Veterans Get The Most Medical Coverage & Lowest Medical Bills Outside The VA
If you prefer to use see private doctors for your healthcare, rather than the VA, Medicare Supplement insurance is an option to consider. It is an alternative to Medicare Advantage because you can only have one or the other. It’s worth noting that if you have Tricare or CHAMPVA, you don’t need a Medicare Supplement because they are supplements themselves.
Medicare Supplements are insurance policies that help cover out of pocket medical costs with Original Medicare (Medicare A & B directly through the government). These costs are deductibles and co-insurance that you normally have to pay when you have medical care. The primary benefit of Medicare Supplements is setting yourself up to have nearly full coverage for medical costs.
Things To Know About Medicare Supplements
- Medicare Supplement’s are provided by private insurance companies.
- They are separate policies and are secondary to Medicare A & B. Therefore, they have a monthly cost that you pay in addition to Medicare.
- Medicare supplements cover you at any doctor that accepts Medicare A & B, there are no networks.
- Medicare Supplement policies are represented by a letter, which means the amount of coverage you get.
- The top Medicare Supplement plans can help you limit your annual out of pocket medical bills to around $200 per year.
- If you have Tricare or CHAMPVA you don’t need a Medicare Supplement but you can have an Advantage plan.
Learn more about Medicare Supplements.
Featured Heroes Testimonials & Profiles
About our customers and what they have to say
On a mobile phone, swipe with your finger to the left to move to the next profile.
Brian served as a U.S. Marine from July 7th, 1975 through February 1st, 1996. Brian is currently working at Taylor Diesel of Lubbock in the sales and customer service department. He also has two part time businesses. The first, for ACN, a worldwide essential services company, providing services such as wireless, high speed internet, television, gas, and electricity. He also is an Independent Business Owner for Market America, an online shopping mall. Brian’s websites are; http://brianrayburn.acnibo.com / www.shop.com/brayburn .
Brian’s memories of his service are vast. In his words; “The camaraderie is what I miss the most. I would say my proudest moment was when I was selected for Warrant Officer. The transition from enlisted ranks to Officer wasn’t easy. Everyone suddenly became afraid of fraternization. One thing is certain, I never forgot where I came from.
Brian’s testimonial about working with us; “Working with them was painless and effortless. Ben Rodriguez went over various plans that best met my needs. He produced numerous training presentations, that explained the Medicare process in detail. The plan I chose offered a discount that is always welcomed. The professionalism of Ben Rodriguez and his staff was exceptional.”
*Lone Star Medicare, LLC. does not endorse and is not liable for products & services purchased from 3rd party consumer sites listed in this profile.
Michael Pauley served in the US Army from 1978 through 1998. He then served in the South Carolina National Guard from 1998 until 2001. After that, he served 20 more years in the US Army Reserve and US Navy. Michael’s most profound memory of his service is flying Dustoff / MEDEVAC. He currently lives in South Carolina and is a retired Lawyer, Soldier, Sailor, and Science Fiction Writer.
In his own words, Michael chose a Medicare Advantage plan with us because; “Having a Medicare Plan that is bundled through same provider and My Tricare, along with the outstanding service, make this a great fit for me.”
Patricia Hill served in the US Army for 21 years and 6 months. Her fondest memory of her service was completing her Rites of Passage. She says was a grueling week but helped her grow and build comradery. She currently lives in Virginia and enjoys gardening, reading, and home decorating.
In her own words; “It was a pleasure working with Lonestar Medicare and Medicare For Heroes. Ben provided quite a bit of information about Medicare/Medicare Advantage Programs. Especially important to me were plans geared towards Military Retirees and Veterans. Ben was also very responsive in answering my questions. Because of all of the information I received, I am confident that I chose the best Medicare Advantage plan to suit my healthcare needs.”
After 25 years of service in the US Air Force, Robert Wood retired as a Lt. Colonel in 2006. After that he worked for a defense contractor and retired from there in 2017. Robert currently lives in Texas where he enjoys supporting his wife who is a local teacher. He also has plenty of time to keep up the house and yard, which he didn’t before. His fondest memory of his service was last assignment with the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, UK. “I enjoyed the people I worked with and worked for. We had great comradery and sense of teamwork to get the air-refueling mission accomplished.”
In his own words; “Starting Medicare, there seemed to be an overwhelming number of options available. I found an advertisement for Lone Star Medicare / Medicare For Heroes and gave them a call. I talked to Ben Rodriguez and he was very knowledgeable and interested in finding the best Medicare coverage for my personal needs. After he asked me several questions about my personal situation, he recommended the Humana Honor (PPO) Medicare Advantage Plan as the best fit for me. I chose this plan because it covers all of my healthcare needs, most of which were in Network for my current doctors. The Humana Honor plan works with Tricare for Life, which pays any additional costs and co-pays that the Humana Honor plan does not cover. I’m very happy with the Humana Honor (PPO) Medicare Advantage Plan and the outstanding service and assistance I received from Ben Rodriguez and Lone Star Medicare.”
Michael & Mona Harness both served in the US Air Force. Michael served for 21 years and Mona 14. They met in Yakota Air Force Base in Japan. Michael’s favorite memory is the wonderful airmen he had the pleasure of serving with. They currently live in Texas. Michael enjoys woodworking and fishing. Mona is enjoying quilting and yard work.
In their own words; Having used military medical all my adult life, I had zero knowledge of civilian medical care and the Medicare program. Medicare For Heroes was able to explain everything to me. I chose the Humana plan they recommended for me and have had nothing but good experiences. From dr visits to the otc program, I highly recommend Humana health care.”
Harry served in the US Coast Guard for 24 years and 8 months. He was stationed at the Great Lakes, Florida, Louisiana, and finally in Port Arthur, Texas, which is where he met his wife Mada. Regarding his service he says; “One of my proudest accomplishments in the military was performing drug interdiction within the passes of Florida, Cuba and Mexico.”
Harry & Mada currently operate a marine surveying business, which Harry says is supported by the leadership skills he gained in the US Coast Guard. They have 6 children, 9 grandchildren, and enjoy traveling in their RV & boat.
In their own words they chose a Medicare Advantage plan through us because; “It has been a pleasure working with Ben Rodriguez with Lone Star and Medicare For Heroes. Entering into the Medicare system can be overwhelming and he was there to help guide us through the multitude of questions we needed answers to. The Humana Honor Health Plan has helped us save over $100 on our premiums. In fact, our co-pays are less than they were with our military insurance.
It is a PPO program, but we found all our primary care physicians and specialists are In-Network Providers. Being retired military, we have Tri-Care as our secondary plan. We haven’t had to change a thing. We are also taking advantage of the OTC pharmacy program for routinely purchased OTC drugs, such as 81 mg aspirin, vitamins and diabetic needs. Plus we have the added advantage of the hearing, dental and vision benefits that Medicare doesn’t include. This plan is adequately able to help even if you’re not real computer savvy. It is just as easy to handle any insurance business over the phone and the personnel are pleasant and willing to make sure all our needs are met.”
Neil Houser served in the US Air Force for 20 years. His best memory is Working Heritage Park at England AFB in Alexandria, LA. He was was the Project Manager, in charge of Assembling all the Real Flying Tiger Aircraft and making them ready to Mount on Pedestals. Neil currently lives with his wife Irene in Texas where he works as an IT / Data Analyst. He enjoys golfing and music, which makes sense that he lives near Austin.
Neil and his wife have Tricare For Life and they chose a Medicare Advantage plan with us. In their own words, this is because; “I’ve been working with Ben Rodriguez and Medicare For Heroes for over a year now. We’ve been bombarded with Mail, Email, Social Media about Medicare and supplements. Ben has gone the extra mile to provide Education, and Support. He extremely knowledgeable and friendly. He is certainly 5 stars!”
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