Medicare Question

[Astro-T]

Probably a dumb question but here goes anyway! I'm retired USAF and will be getting Tricare For Life here soon. I also am 60% service connected so currently get my healthcare at the VA. Does it make sense when I apply for Medicare to take Part B also? I'm thinking not but I may not be looking at it right. Thanks for any insight!!

[1stindoor]

I'm going to punt to John on this one. He's our SME when it comes to talking about Medicare plans and/or Tricare issues.

[n2ratfishin]

You may find yourself in deep poo if you strictly count on the VA. If you were to ever need PartB you'll pay a penalty for not taking it at 65 or losing creditable insurance. The VA only covers Part D when it comes to Medicare. The penalty rate is your rate for life.

https://www.medicare.gov/what-medica...-part-b-covers
https://www.medicare.gov/what-medica...-part-a-part-b
https://www.medicare.gov/your-medica...llment-penalty

Essentially by paying your Part B you'll be enrolled in Tri-Care for Life...think the equal is going to be a Supplemental G Plan. Unlike our civilian counterparts our rates are not indexed with our age. We only pay for Part B. I'm not looking forward to jumping from 600.00 a year for the family with Tri-Care Prime to currently 148.00 a month for Medicare Part B. Thats 300.00 a month for a couple. I am looking forward to not being required to see a PCP every time I want to see a specialist.

Lastly if you don't pay Part B your base privileges may be curtailed. Military ID cards now expire the month you turn 65. I've never shown my VA Card at the gate, it may get you in for some services???



Tricare for Retirees | Military.com

https://www.military.com › benefits › tricare › retiree › tri...


https://www.military.com/benefits/tricare/retiree/tricare-for-retirees.html








I plan on, and recommend all eligible to pay Part B.

[Astro-T]

Wow! Guess it wasn't a dumb question because you said alot I didn't even think about! Thanks very much for your info and advice! I think I'll be taking it!!

[1stindoor]

Thanks for the links too!

[Skip]

I am also an Army retiree and Medicare prt A&B and TriCare for life and I also use the VA. My VA clinic is in Waco but the Hospital is 35 to 40 minutes away so for emergency care I use local ER and hospitals and other doctors and things the VA doesn't provide locally so yes you need part B IMHO.

[Astro-T]

Thanks everyone!!

[jigman51]

I am turning 65 in June and just signed up for the $148 a month Part B, I think. I live 4 miles from the front gate at Fort Leonard Wood and use post facilities. Got my medicare card last week and have a new ID that says indefinite so I guess it is my last one. I will continue to use the hospital and get my meds at the post pharmacy. I am a retiree and also use VA. We shall see. My wife is 10 years younger than me so don't have to worry about her for a while.

[f16 1ub]

You may want to get your maintenance meds thru Express Scripts. I’m career retired AF. Have used Medicare for Primary & Tri Care For Life. You’ll find most of the time you’ll have zero out of pocket expense for anything. Regular doctor visits ... rotator cuff surgery. Don’t freak out. It’ll all fall into place.

[1stindoor]

I haven't signed up for Express Scripts yet. I still work on post and my primary clinic and pharmacy is about 1.5 miles from the office, so it's pretty convenient for me at this point. Just out of curiosity, how many of you have signed up for and used Tricare Online? I use it all the time and it makes getting appointments, prescription refills, lab results etc, so much easier.

[jigman51]

I haven't signed up for Express Scripts yet. I still work on post and my primary clinic and pharmacy is about 1.5 miles from the office, so it's pretty convenient for me at this point. Just out of curiosity, how many of you have signed up for and used Tricare Online? I use it all the time and it makes getting appointments, prescription refills, lab results etc, so much easier.

I need to use tricare on line more often.

[n2ratfishin]

My primary care clinic on Campbell doesn't take inbound phone calls. Using TriCare Online is the easiest (if you can call it easy, I've been locked out of messaging more times than I can count) way to communicate with them.

[1stindoor]

Well that's true....I have used the "re-load" button a time or ten using messaging too.