How Does Medicare Work with TRICARE, VA Benefits, or Retiree Health Plans?

If you’re turning 65 and already have health coverage through the military, the VA, or a retiree health plan, you might be wondering what happens when Medicare enters the picture. Do you need to enroll? Will your existing coverage go away? Do the two work together?

The short answer is yes, in many cases, Medicare can work alongside these other plans. But the way they work together depends on the type of coverage you have.

Let’s walk through the most common situations.

TRICARE for Life and Medicare

If you’re retired military and have TRICARE for Life, Medicare becomes your primary coverage and TRICARE acts as secondary. That means:

• You need to enroll in both Medicare Part A and Part B to keep TRICARE for Life

• Medicare pays first, then TRICARE covers most of what Medicare doesn’t

• You typically don’t need a separate Medicare Advantage or Part D plan

TRICARE for Life generally provides excellent coverage when paired with Medicare, and many military retirees find they rarely pay much out of pocket.

VA Benefits and Medicare

If you receive care through the VA health system, you can still enroll in Medicare.

• VA benefits only cover care at VA facilities

• Medicare covers care outside the VA system—such as private doctors, specialists, or hospitals

• If you don’t enroll in Medicare when you’re eligible and later want to get care outside the VA, you could face late penalties and have to wait for enrollment

Medicare and VA benefits don’t coordinate in the same way as other insurance plans. Instead, you use one or the other depending on where you get care. Having both gives you flexibility.

Employer or Union Retiree Health Plans

Many people receive retiree coverage from a former employer or union. These plans vary widely, but in most cases:

• You’ll still need to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B

• Medicare usually becomes the primary payer, with your retiree plan acting as secondary

• Some retiree plans may include drug coverage, but you’ll want to make sure it’s considered creditable by Medicare to avoid late penalties if you delay Part D

Keep in mind that some retiree plans may reduce their benefits or stop offering coverage once you enroll in Medicare. It’s important to check with your plan administrator to understand how your benefits change after age 65.

Bottom line

If you have TRICARE, VA benefits, or retiree coverage, Medicare often becomes a key part of your overall healthcare puzzle. But how it fits depends on the type of coverage you already have.

We can help you sort through what’s primary, what’s secondary, and how to avoid gaps or penalties. If you’re approaching Medicare eligibility and already have other coverage, reach out. We’ll help you make sure everything works together the way it should.