Do Veterans Have to Sign Up for Medicare?

 

Veterans are not required to sign up for Medicare. However, the Veterans Administration (VA) strongly recommends that veterans enroll in Medicare Parts A and B as soon as they are eligible. This is because Medicare offers a number of benefits that can supplement VA health coverage, including:

• More coverage options. Medicare covers a wider range of services than VA health coverage, including preventive care, hospital care, and prescription drugs.
• More flexibility. Medicare allows you to see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, which gives you more choices for your care.
• Financial protection. Medicare can help protect you from high medical costs, especially if you have a serious illness or injury.

If you are a veteran and you are considering signing up for Medicare, you should talk to a VA counselor to learn more about your options and decide what is best for you.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

• If you do not enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), you may have to wait until the next General Enrollment Period (GEP) to enroll, and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
• If you have creditable drug coverage from an employer, you may be able to delay Medicare enrollment without penalty.
• If you have VA health benefits and you enroll in Medicare Part B, you will still be able to receive VA health care. However, you will be responsible for paying any Medicare cost-sharing (deductibles, copayments, coinsurances).

If you would like to discuss your healthcare options please click this Permission to Contact link and a licensed agent will be in contact or you may call 954-532-8711 To speak with a licensed agent.