Veterans turning 65: VA healthcare, Medicare, and TRICARE for Life

Yes. We encourage you to enroll in Medicare as soon as you become eligible for these reasons:

• Having Medicare means you’re covered if you need to go to a non-VA provider.
• Your priority group, local health facility wait times, and your health needs may shift over time.  We encourage you to sign up for Medicare so you have options if you need them.
• If you delay enrollment in Medicare Part B (coverage for outpatient services), you’ll have permanent penalties added to your monthly premium.
• If you enroll in Medicare Part D for prescriptions, you can get medicine from non-VA providers and fill your prescriptions at your local pharmacy. There’s no penalty for delaying Medicare Part D as long as you enroll when you’re first eligible or within 63 days of when you no longer have VA healthcare or other creditable prescription drug coverage.
  Learn how to avoid the Part D penalty on the Medicare website

You can use Medicare Part A (coverage for inpatient care) and Part B (coverage for outpatient care) at non-VA providers that accept Medicare. Use your VA healthcare benefits at VA.

• For VA healthcare, you’ll need to get care at a VA health facility. When VA care isn't timely or accessible, we'll also cover your care if your VA healthcare team gives you an authorized referral to a non-VA provider in your community. Depending on your priority group, you may need to pay a VA copayment for care that’s not for a service-connected disability.
  Learn more about how to get community care referrals
• For non-VA provider care without a referral, Medicare may pay for some or all services. 
  Learn more about coverage on the Medicare website

Yes. You can have both. 

Here’s how having both works:

• Medicare Advantage plans are through private insurers with their own networks. You’ll use Medicare Advantage when you get care at a non-VA provider in the Medicare Advantage network.
• Medicare Advantage won’t pay for care received at a VA health facility.
• To keep Medicare Advantage, you must pay the monthly premium for your Medicare Advantage plan and for Medicare Part B even if you only get care through VA. You may be able to find a plan that offers a reduced Part B premium.

Here’s why some Veterans choose to have both:

• VA healthcare is free or low cost for many Veterans.
• Medicare Advantage plans may cover care for dental, vision, and hearing that VA healthcare doesn’t cover depending on your priority group.
• You may be able to use Medicare Advantage for specialized care outside VA.
• Medicare Advantage may serve as a supplementary option if VA healthcare services are unavailable.

You’ll need to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B before you turn 65 to keep getting your TRICARE benefits. 

After you enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, you’ll automatically have TRICARE for Life. You don’t need to enroll in TRICARE for Life separately. TRICARE for Life will then cover your Medicare deductibles and copays, prescriptions, and some other benefits. You can use any provider who accepts Medicare.

Learn more about TRICARE for Life on the TRICARE website

You can apply for VA healthcare in any of these ways:

• Online
• By phone
• In person
• By mail
• With the help of a trained professional

Apply online for VA healthcare

Learn more about how to apply for VA healthcare