Medicare and Military Benefits
Tricare for Life
TFL is Medicare wrap around coverage for Tricare eligible beneficiaries who have Medicare parts A and B. Enrollment is not required, coverage will be automatic once you are on Medicare. You will be required to pay the Medicare part B premium.
The way TFL works, is that the provider files a claim with Medicare and Medicare cordinates coverage with TFL.
You do not receive an ID card, you would use your Medicare card and military id.
You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. The advantage plan would be the primary coverage and TFL would be secondary.
The reason you would consider this is that some plans offer money back and also you could obtain additional benefits such as dental coverage. It is important to realize you would be subject to the Medicare Advantage 's plan provider network and prior authorizations.
The Advantage plan does not directly coordinate with Medicare and the provider may have to file a seperate claim for the portion the advantage plan is not covering.
tricare.mil/plans/healthplans/TFL
Veterans Administration
The VA is an integrated health care system providing care at over 1200 health care facilities and serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
You must apply to be considered for coverage. Once accepted you will be assigned a priority group bases on various factors. Group 1 will receive the highest level of benefits , group 8, the lowest.
VA benefits will include hospital coverage, provider services and drug coverage.
It is recomended that Veterans do sign up for Medicare part B. Some reasons given are uncertain funding, avoiding Medicare late enrollment penalties and having more options for doctors and drug coverage.
Signing up for Medicare would require you to pay the part B premium.
You will have the option of signing up for a Medicare supplement or Advantage plan. The VA does not cordinate payment with Medicare like TFL does.
A Medicare Advantage plan can work will with when youi have VA coverage. You could receive money back if you elect not to take drug coverage. Also you can use the advantage plan for extra benefits or even to see a primary doctor. You would use either VA, Medicare or the advantage plan, they do not coordinate and you would always use the VA for emergancy.
va.gov/healthbenefits
Champ/VA
Champ/VA are the beneficiaries are the spouses. widow(er)s or children of a qualifying Veteran.
When you become eligible for Medicare you must enroll.To continue your Champ/VA eligibilty you must remain enrolled in Medicare and pay the Part B premium. You would send a copy of your Medicre card along with VA form 10-7959C to Champ/VA to continue benefits without interruption.
Like TFL claims are sent to Medicare first then to Champ/VA.
It is not necessary to have a Medicare supplement or Advantage plan, even though you could enroll in an advantage plan for possible money back and extra benefits. Champ/VA would be secondary to the advantage plan and billing does not coordinate.
It is always recommended to keep your information updated in the DEERS system.
va.gov/health-care/family-caregiver-benefits/champva