AND ELIGIBILITY GUIDE FOR VETERANS
start
MEDICARE ENROLLMENT
01/07
b
a
No
D
C
Medicare Eligibility for Veterans
This flowchart doesn’t apply to you, but you can learn more about Medicare here.
Title
Are you a military Veteran?
Yes
02/07
Do you already receive VA healthcare benefits?
03/07
Are you 65 years or older?
04/07
Do any of the following apply to you?
None of these apply to me
You have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
You have end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
You receive a disability pension from the RRB and meet specific conditions
You have been eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance for at least 2 years
E
05/07
Do you want to enroll in Medicare Part B?
06/07
Do you want to enroll in Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)?
07/07
Do you want to purchase a Medigap plan for additional coverage?
08/08
Yes, definitely Yes, somewhat No, but I think they'll be open to learning No, not at all
Xxxxxx
see results
No gaslighting
Result 1
start over
If you have VA coverage in addition to Medicare, you can coordinate benefits for maximum coverage. Keep in mind that Medicare will cover pharmacies, services, and facilities in your plan’s network, while VA benefits only provide coverage at VA pharmacies and facilities.
Medicare Annual Enrollment starts October 15 and goes through December 7. During this period, you can join, change, or drop plans. Find a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, or Medigap policy that’s right for you.
1
2
Medicare Initial Enrollment lasts 7 months, starting 3 months before your 65th birthday. Find out more about how to sign up for Medicare Part A and B.
Occasional gaslighting
Result 2
live in a non-VA nursing home
3
You can have Original Medicare (Part A and B) with or without a Part D plan. If you have VA coverage in addition to Medicare, you can coordinate benefits for maximum coverage. Medicare Initial Enrollment lasts 7 months, starting 3 months before your 65th birthday. Find out more about how to sign up for Medicare Part A and B.
You may need additional coverage to cover the cost of prescription drugs. Your VA coverage may cover the cost of prescription drugs. However, you may want to consider signing up for Part D if you:
want flexibility when it comes to filling your prescriptions
don’t have access to a VA pharmacy or facility
Part D will cover pharmacies in your plan’s network, while VA benefits only provide coverage at VA pharmacies and facilities. Medicare Annual Enrollment starts October 15 and goes through December 7. During this period, you can join, change, or drop plans. Find a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, or Medigap policy that’s right for you.
Result 3
The VA recommends signing up for Medicare during your initial enrollment period at 65, unless you have private insurance through an employer. While you’re not required to sign up for Medicare if you have VA coverage, signing up for Medicare gives you more healthcare options to choose from and prevents you from paying a penalty if you sign up for Medicare Part B at a later date. Medicare Initial Enrollment lasts 7 months, starting 3 months before your 65th birthday. Find out more about how to sign up for Medicare Part A and B.
If you have VA coverage and choose not to enroll in Medicare, you won’t have health insurance for facilities outside the VA system.
Frequent gaslighting
Result 4
Qualifying Individual (QI), which pays for Part B premiums
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), which pays for Part B premiums
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), which pays for both Part A and Part B premiums
You may decide to opt out of Medicare Part B because it comes with additional premiums. However, you may qualify for help with paying Part B premiums via a Medicare Savings Program (MSP):
Enrolling in an MSP also automatically gets you Extra Help, a program that helps pay for prescription drug plan costs (Part D).
Keep in mind that if you wish to enroll for Part B down the line, late enrollment penalties may apply.
