Veterans and Medicare: How VA, TRICARE, and Medicare Work Together

VA benefits and Medicare don’t coordinate

Unlike most insurance, VA health care and Medicare are two separate systems that don’t pay each other’s bills. The VA covers care you receive at VA facilities; Medicare covers care from civilian doctors and hospitals. Having both simply gives you more places to get care. Read more on VA benefits and Medicare.

Why most veterans keep Part B

Part A is premium-free for almost everyone, so there’s rarely a reason to skip it. Part B is the bigger decision. VA care isn’t guaranteed at every location or for every service, and if you drop Part B and want it later, you’ll face a lifelong late-enrollment penaltyand a coverage gap. For most veterans, keeping Part B preserves access to civilian providers — important if you travel, move, or need care the VA doesn’t readily provide.

Part D is often optional for veterans

VA prescription coverage is creditable, so if you fill prescriptions through the VA you can delay Medicare Part D without a penalty. Some veterans still add a Part D plan to fill drugs at civilian pharmacies — it’s a personal convenience-vs-cost decision.

TRICARE For Life requires Part B

If you’re a Medicare-eligible military retiree with TRICARE, the rules are stricter: TRICARE For Life pays as secondary coverage to Medicare, and you must enroll in both Part A and Part B to keep TRICARE. Skipping Part B can mean losing TRICARE coverage. See TRICARE and Medicare.

Which coverage should you use?

With both VA and Medicare, the simple rule is: use the VA for care at VA facilities and your VA pharmacy, and use Medicare for civilian providers. Our which-to-use guide walks through common scenarios.

Explore the veterans hub

For more, see our guide to Medicare and VA benefits for veterans. A licensed advisor can help you weigh Part B and Part D against your VA or TRICARE coverage at no cost.