Questions
Straight answers.
These are the questions we hear on nearly every call. If yours isn't here, ask us. That's the job.
Pick a topic
What's on your mind?
TRICARE For Life and the VA
Will I lose TRICARE For Life?
No. You keep TRICARE For Life as long as you keep Medicare Part A and Part B. These plans are designed to work with it, and it keeps acting as your second payer.
Does this change my VA care?
No. Your VA health care is separate from Medicare. Joining a Medicare Advantage plan does not affect it. You can keep using the VA exactly as you do now.
Will it affect my VA disability?
No, not at all. Your disability rating and payments have nothing to do with which Medicare plan you choose.
The benefit sheet lists copays. Will I pay those?
Carriers have to list copays because not every veteran has TRICARE For Life. If you do, it pays after the plan and generally covers them. If you use the VA only, the copays apply to you when you get care outside the VA. Your advocate walks through your exact situation before you decide anything.
What happens to my prescriptions?
Nothing changes. The veteran plans are medical-only, so your prescriptions keep coming through TRICARE, CHAMPVA or the VA. If you fill prescriptions at a regular pharmacy without that coverage, tell us. You would need a different kind of plan.
Cost
What does it cost to work with you?
Nothing. The insurance carriers pay us. You never pay us for a call, a comparison or an enrollment.
How does the Part B premium go down?
Some plans pay part of your Part B premium on your behalf. Social Security then takes less out each month. You don't file anything. It can take a couple of months to first show up, and Social Security sends you a letter when it does.
What's the catch?
There isn't a hidden one. You keep paying your Part B premium, just a reduced one on plans that include a reduction. The plan itself typically has no monthly premium. The carrier is paid by Medicare to manage your benefits, and the carrier pays us.
Is the reduction the same for everyone?
No. It depends on the plans in your county. Some counties have plans that take up to $185 a month off. Some have smaller reductions. Some have none. We will tell you your real number before you decide.
The plans
Can I keep my doctors?
The veteran plans we work with are PPOs, so you can see providers in or out of the network. We look up each of your doctors by name before you enroll.
I've heard bad things about Medicare Advantage.
Most of those stories are about HMOs, which limit you to a network and can cause problems alongside TRICARE For Life. That is why we stick to PPO plans built for veterans.
What do the plans add?
Depending on the plan: a lower Part B premium, dental, vision, hearing, an over-the-counter allowance and a gym membership. See the plans page for the details.
I only use the VA. Is this for me?
It can be, but it works differently. Outside the VA you would pay the plan's copays yourself, and you may need a plan with drug coverage. We explain both lanes here, and we will tell you honestly if staying put is the better choice.
Enrolling
When can I enroll?
We help veterans and spouses year-round. Annual Enrollment, October 15 through December 7, is when everyone with Medicare can make a change for January 1. At other times of the year you may still be able to enroll, depending on your situation. Ask us any month and we will tell you where you stand.
How long does it take?
Most people get a clear answer in one phone call. If you decide to enroll, the paperwork is two documents you sign on your phone or computer. That part takes about five minutes.
What do I need?
Nothing to prepare. It helps to have your Medicare card nearby and to know the names of the doctors you want to keep.
Can my spouse enroll too?
Yes, if they qualify. Each person chooses separately, and we can do both on the same call. More for spouses here.
What if I change my mind?
You are not locked in forever. From January 1 through March 31 each year, anyone in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare. You can also change during the next Annual Enrollment.
About us
Is this a government program?
No. We are a private, independent agency, and our advocates are licensed to sell Medicare plans. We are not affiliated with the VA, Medicare or any government agency. The plans come from private insurance carriers that contract with Medicare.
How do I know this is legitimate?
Ask for our license numbers. Every advocate here will give you their national and state license numbers before asking you for anything, and you can look them up with your state's insurance department.
Will a real person call me?
Yes. A licensed advocate handles every conversation about plans. You may get a call or text from our automated scheduling assistant first. It only confirms your time.
I already have someone who handles my Medicare.
That's fine. Most people in this business work with every kind of Medicare customer. Veterans with TRICARE For Life, CHAMPVA and VA benefits are our focus, so it can be worth a second look.
What do you do with my information?
We use it to contact you about Medicare plan options. We do not sell it. Our privacy policy has the full detail.
Plain-English glossary
The words, without the jargon.
For how these fit together, read the Medicare basics guide.
- Original Medicare
- Part A and Part B, run directly by the federal government.
- Medicare Part A
- Hospital coverage. Most people pay no premium for it.
- Medicare Part B
- Doctor and outpatient coverage. It has a monthly premium, usually taken out of Social Security.
- Medicare Advantage
- Also called Part C. A plan from a private carrier that delivers your Part A and Part B benefits, often with extras.
- Part D
- Prescription drug coverage. The veteran plans leave this out because TRICARE, CHAMPVA or the VA already handles it.
- TRICARE For Life
- Coverage for military retirees and eligible family members who have Medicare Part A and Part B. It pays second.
- CHAMPVA
- Health coverage through the VA for certain spouses, surviving spouses and dependents.
- Part B premium reduction
- A plan feature that lowers the Part B premium you pay each month. Sometimes called a giveback.
- PPO
- A plan that lets you see providers in or out of its network.
- HMO
- A plan that generally covers care only inside its network, except in an emergency.
- Copay
- A set dollar amount listed for a service, such as a specialist visit.
- Out-of-pocket limit
- The most you could pay in a year for covered care on a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Benefit sheet
- The plan's official summary of what it covers and what each service costs. Carriers call it the Summary of Benefits.
- Annual Enrollment
- October 15 through December 7. The time each year when everyone with Medicare can change plans for January 1.
