Medicare with VA or TRICARE coverage

VA health care

VA benefits and Medicare don't work together: the VA pays for care at VA facilities (or VA-authorized community care), and Medicare pays for care from Medicare providers. Many veterans enroll in both so they can use non-VA doctors and hospitals too.

• Part B: Having VA care doesn't protect you from the Part B late penalty. If you skip Part B at 65 and want it later, your premium can be higher for life.
• Part D: VA drug coverage counts as creditable, so you can delay Part D without a penalty. Keep proof of your VA coverage.

TRICARE For Life

For military retirees and their families with Medicare, TRICARE For Life (TFL) works as secondary coverage after Medicare. To keep TFL, you must have both Part A and Part B. Medicare pays first, and TFL pays most of what's left for care both programs cover.

• TFL includes TRICARE pharmacy coverage, which counts as creditable, so you don't need a Part D plan.
• A Medigap policy usually adds little on top of TFL.
• If you're still on active duty (or the spouse of someone who is), different rules apply to when you need Part B; check with TRICARE.

Get help

Your SHIP can help you compare, and TRICARE and the VA can confirm how your benefits work with Medicare.