Can I Have Va Coverage And Other Health Insurance?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you have other forms of health care coverage, such as a private insurance plan, Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE,

you can continue to use VA along with these plans

.

Can you have 2 medical insurance policies?


Yes, you can have two health insurance plans

. Having two health insurance plans is perfectly legal, and many people have multiple health insurance policies under certain circumstances.

Can I use VA if I have insurance?

Yes. Giving us your health insurance information helps you because: When your private health insurance provider pays us for your non-service-connected care, we may be able to use the funds to offset part—or all—of your VA copayment.

How does it work to have two health insurances?

When you have two health insurance plans, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be fully covered twice by each insurance plan. Instead,

one will need to be assigned as your primary plan, while the other will take the secondary spot

. That means the total amount that your two plans pay will never exceed 100% of the cost.

Can I use VA health care and Tricare?


If you retire and qualify for VA benefits, you can use your TRICARE and VA benefits together

. You will see the VA for service-connected conditions and use TRICARE for everything else.

Do I need Part B if I have VA benefits?


The VA itself strongly recommends that veterans with VA health care also enroll in Medicare Parts A and B as soon as they become eligible

(unless they have group insurance from a current employer). Here’s why: VA health coverage isn’t set in stone and isn’t the same for everyone.

Can all veterans use the VA?


Veterans generally must be enrolled to receive VA health care

. Enrollment assures Veterans that comprehensive health care services are available when they are needed. VA’s enrollment system designates Veterans by priority groups.

Is VA coverage considered creditable coverage for Part B?

Under Medicare Part B, VA health care is

NOT creditable coverage

. Creditable coverage under Medicare Part B can only be provided through an employer.

Who Pays First Tricare or VA?

Other federal insurance includes medicare, medicaid, VA healthcare, or Indian Health Service coverage. If you are covered by one of these plans they pay before Tricare first.

If you are treated for a non-covered condition, Tricare pays first

.

Which insurance is primary when you have two?

If you have two plans,

your primary insurance is your main insurance

. Except for company retirees on Medicare, the health insurance you receive through your employer is typically considered your primary health insurance plan.

Can a married couple have two health insurance?


Dual coverage: you and your spouse on both plans

. In this option, each spouse signs up for coverage for themselves through their own employer and signs up for coverage for their spouse (and children if they have them). So every member of the family has coverage from two plans.

What does coordination of benefits allow?

Coordination of benefits (COB) allows

plans that provide health and/or prescription coverage for a person with Medicare to determine their respective payment responsibilities

(i.e., determine which insurance plan has the primary payment responsibility and the extent to which the other plans will contribute when an …

Is it better to have two health insurances?


Having access to two health plans can be good when making health care claims

. Having two health plans can increase how much coverage you get. You can save money on your health care costs through what’s known as the “coordination of benefits” provision.

How do deductibles work with two insurances?

If both plans have deductibles,

you’ll have to pay both before coverage kicks in

. You don’t get to choose which health plan is primary, meaning the one that pays first. You don’t get to choose which insurer will pay a certain claim.

Will secondary pay if primary denies?

If your primary insurance denies coverage,

secondary insurance may or may not pay some part of the cost, depending on the insurance

. If you do not have primary insurance, your secondary insurance may make little or no payment for your health care costs.

How is TRICARE different from VA?

TRICARE Benefits VA Benefits Your services may vary depending on your health plan. Your eligibility and copayment depend on: Discharge, Service-connection, or Income Your TRICARE health plan’s rules and costs will apply.

Do veterans pay for TRICARE for Life?

If you use TRICARE For Life for a non-service-connected condition at a VA facility, the VA can’t bill Medicare. When you get care from a non-Medicare provider (such as the VA)

TRICARE can pay only up to 20% of the TRICARE allowable charge

.

How long do VA health benefits last?

You can receive free VA health care for

up to 5 years

after discharge or release for any condition related to your service in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation New Dawn (OND) in Iraq. This is called an enhanced eligibility period.

Is VA creditable coverage for Part D?


Drug coverage from the VA (Veterans Affairs) is considered creditable prescription drug coverage

, which means the coverage is at least as good as what Medicare drug plans provide, so you do not need to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan.

Do all veterans have Tricare?

Does VA participate in the TRICARE Network? Yes, since 1995,

all VA health care facilities have participated as TRICARE Network Providers

. VA can provide care for Active Duty Service Members, military retirees, & family members under their TRICARE benefit – on a space available basis.

Do I need Medicare if I have a VA disability?

If you have VA benefits,

you do not have to enroll in Medicare in order to keep your VA benefits

. That being said, the Veterans Administration actually recommends veterans enroll in Medicare when they become eligible.

Who gets VA benefits after death?

You may be eligible if: the deceased veteran was discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions, AND. he or she served 90 days or more of active duty with at least 1 day during a period of war*, AND. you are the surviving spouse or unmarried child of the deceased veteran, AND.

Can you make too much money for VA benefits?


VA disability compensation is not income-based

. Thus, the amount of money a veteran makes in a given year has no effect on his or her compensation.

Do Veterans have to pay for prescriptions?


Typically, VA drug coverage has no premiums and no or limited copayments for prescriptions

—but you must use VA pharmacies and facilities. You may want Part D coverage if you: Live far from a VA pharmacy or facility, or do not want to use a VA provider to get prescriptions.

Do veterans get free healthcare?


We’re committed to providing free health care for conditions related to military service and for Veterans with catastrophic disabilities and disability ratings of at least 50%

, as well as for those who can’t afford to pay for care. Learn more about how we’ll determine if you’ll need to pay for any part of your care.

What happens to my VA disability when I turn 65?

Even after veterans reach full retirement age,

VA’s disability payments continue at the same level

. By contrast, the income that people receive after they retire (from Social Security or private pensions) usually is less than their earnings from wages and salary before retirement.

What is VA health care called?

TRICARE For Life (TFL) &

Veterans Affairs

(VA) Benefits – California Health Advocates.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.