As a veteran-owned business, we here at The Harrin Group care for our fellow service members and veterans, and want to ensure they are well aware of all the benefits available to them. One such critical benefit that they are entitled to receive when they turn 65, is the option to add Medicare to their Veterans Administration (VA) health coverage.
As noted by CNBC contributor: Sarah O’Brien in 2019, many vets do not realize they have this benefit. The VA provides care for nearly 9 million vets each year at some 1,250 facilities, 172 medical centers, and more than 1,000 outpatient sites across the nation. Unfortunately, the VA generally does not cover care outside of their proprietary locations, leaving vets wondering if there are other options besides waiting in a line for weeks at a time to see a specialist or getting that much needed surgery on time?
One good way to ensure vets have a second opinion or timely access to doctors, and facilities outside of the VA system is to enroll in both Medicare Part’s A&B when they first turn 65. Vets have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) to sign up (3 months before turning 65, birthday month, 3 months after turning 65). One very popular avenue many Vets should consider taking is a Medicare Advantage plan, which in many cases could have a zero premium and additional benefits such as a Silver Sneakers fitness membership, dental, vision, transportation, and even Teladoc virtual visits. The neat thing about this is that veterans don’t have to use the Medicare Advantage plan if they don’t want to, but they have access to it if ever needed. The other option could be a Medicare Supplement plan, which would allow vets to have predictable health care costs, and the freedom to see any doctor accepting Medicare, anywhere in the United States!
So what do you have to lose? We believe in having options available and acquiring a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Supplement plan to work alongside VA health benefits could be a very smart move for vets.
We hope you found this little known fact about VA health benefits and Medicare plans worthy of your time, courtesy of The Harrin Group. If we can ever be of assistance to you or any veterans in your family, we are here for you! Contact us for a no obligation analysis of your situation today!
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Source: CNBC
