Question:
Question from Rob: I’m a Veteran who uses VA facilities for all my healthcare and have Original Medicare A and B only. A bunch of my friends are on Advantage Plans, and they encourage me to get one. I’m hesitant because I’m afraid it might interfere with my VA care. What’s your opinion?
Be advised we will be taking a week or two off from the Medicare Reset series until we know what specific changes there are going to be to Medicare Advantage and Stand Alone Part D prescription plans for 2027. That series will resume once we are privileged to that information and can pass it onto the group.
Answer:
Answer: Thanks for your service, Rob. Let me start by making it crystal clear that enrolling in an Advantage Plan will not interfere with getting care at VA facilities! We have hundreds of clients who have Advantage Plans and go through the exact same process to get their VA care as you do with Original Medicare.
I highly recommend those like you who have Original Medicare A and B only and get most or all their care, including prescriptions, from VA facilities to enroll in a $0 Advantage Plan that is specifically designed for Veterans.
Here are the reasons why I give that advice:
- Not only are they zero cost, but many Advantage Plans designed for Veterans provide a monthly refund of a portion or all your Part B premiums! The most popular plan among our Veteran clients provides a $115 monthly Part B rebate which literally increases monthly Social Security deposits by that amount. Other plans may provide a full Part B refund of the $202.90.
- These plans offer valuable ancillary benefits many Veterans don’t get such as comprehensive dental coverage, Over the Counter (OTC) allowances to purchase health and hygiene products, a no cost gym membership, and even a quarterly grocery allowance. The combined real value in terms of goods and services provided can literally be several thousands of dollars per year.
- Advantage Plans provide choice and protection to get services outside of VA facilities. I realize the VA provides quality healthcare. However, if it’s ever inconvenient to use a VA facility, if there is an instance where certain care can’t be obtained or accessed at a VA facility, the choice to go elsewhere with a cap on what can be billed or avoid the hoops it can sometimes take to get the VA to pay for those outside services is a great option and convenient to have. I can tell you that from our VA clients’ and my own father’s experiences.
- Once again, there is no interference with VA benefits. Veterans with Advantage Plans will get care and be treated in the same exact manner as those who have Original Medicare only.
Please be advised the Advantage Plans I’m referring to do not come with Part D prescription drug coverage and are designed for those who get their meds through the VA. Veterans who don’t want to get their medication from the VA should still consider an Advantage Plan but enroll in one that has Part D benefits. We can analyze all medications and help Veterans determine if an Advantage Plan with or without prescription coverage makes the most sense.
If you have a family member or friend who is a Veteran, especially one who is living on a fixed income, please share today’s Ask the Medicare Specialist edition with them.
With questions for us regarding to today’s topic or any other that’s Medicare related, or to make an appointment for a no-cost consultation, give the office a call, 724-603-3403, or email me personally, Aaron@GetYourBestPlan.com.