Honoring Veterans: Understanding How Medicare and VA Benefits Work Together

For many veterans, health care can feel confusing. Between Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits and Medicare coverage, there’s sometimes uncertainty about what each program offers, how they work together, and whether you need both. The good news is that VA benefits and Medicare can complement each other, giving you more options for care and greater peace of mind.

VA Benefits vs. Medicare: What’s the Difference?

VA health care is provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, while Medicare is federal health insurance for people age 65 and older (and for some younger individuals with disabilities).

The VA system offers care at VA medical centers and clinics for veterans who meet eligibility and service requirements. Medicare, on the other hand, gives access to a much broader network of doctors, hospitals, and specialists — both inside and outside the VA system.

Here’s the key point: You can have both VA and Medicare coverage, and many veterans do.
Having both allows you to choose where and how you receive care, which can be especially helpful if you move, travel, or live far from a VA facility.

Why Veterans May Want to Enroll in Medicare

Even if you’re enrolled in VA health care, it’s usually wise to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B when you become eligible at age 65.

Here’s why:

• Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) is typically free if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. It covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing, and some home health care in non-VA hospitals and facilities. If you want to receive care outside the VA system, Medicare will help cover the costs.
   
• Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive screenings, and durable medical equipment provided outside the VA system.
   

If you rely only on VA health benefits, your coverage is limited to care provided at VA facilities by VA-contracted providers. To use non-VA providers, you would need to get approval from the VA. 

In other words, Medicare expands your access — especially in emergencies, when traveling, or when VA services are not easily available. Having Medicare in addition to VA benefits ensures you can receive care almost anywhere and avoid potential gaps.

How Medicare and VA Benefits Work Together

Medicare and VA benefits operate separately and cover different services.

• If you go to a VA facility, the VA pays for the services you receive there.
   
• If you see a doctor or get care outside the VA, Medicare pays (and you may owe a deductible or coinsurance, depending on your plan).
   

You generally can’t use both at the same time for the same service. But having both gives you flexibility: you can use your VA coverage when it’s convenient and rely on Medicare when you want to see other providers or access services outside the VA network.

Prescription Coverage for Veterans

Prescription drug coverage is another area where veterans can benefit from having both programs.

• The VA offers low-cost medications through its pharmacies, but those medications must be prescribed by VA doctors, and if you get your prescription filled by a non-VA pharmacy, the VA won’t cover them.
   
• Medicare Part D (or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage) can cover prescriptions written by non-VA providers — such as your local doctor or specialist. However, you must fill those prescriptions through pharmacies that are part of the Part D plan’s network.
   

If you take medications from both VA and non-VA providers, enrolling in a Part D plan ensures you’re covered in all settings.

Medicare Advantage Options for Veterans

Some veterans also consider Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, which are offered by private insurers. These plans provide all the same coverage as Original Medicare, plus often include additional services like dental, vision, hearing, and fitness benefits — which the VA and original Medicare typically don’t cover.

Because VA coverage can fill in some of the gaps, many veterans find that combining their VA benefits with a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan offers a best-of-both-worlds approach.

If you’re a veteran turning 65 or already on Medicare, take time to review how your VA benefits and Medicare coverage fit together. Having both can expand your access to care, protect you from unexpected costs, and give you the freedom to choose where you’re treated. 

This Veterans Day, we honor your service — and we’re here to help you make the most of the benefits you’ve earned. An experienced insurance agent can talk through it and help you understand your coverage — so call on us!