Medicare with VA medical benifits anyone?

[drssg]

The VA did not do anything for it nor per the audiologist, can they. Your doctor is pretty much correct from what I know. I always have it but my awareness of it varies. The hearing aids do help some but not all of the time.

Having filed an appeal for hearing loss, they may send me back to the non VA doctor that diagnosed my tinnitus to be military related. During that visit, I really did not discuss treatment options for tinnitus.

OK, thanks. I wanted to make sure there isn’t an option I’m missing. My tinnitus sounds similar - it’s always there, but I’m not always consciously aware of it.

On rare occasions, I’ll get a loud tone that sounds like a TV station that has gone off the air. Fortunately, that doesn’t last very long. That would really drive me nuts.

 

[woody]

Digging up an old thread but there is a lot of good information in it, that being said I will soon turn 65 and will go on Medicare A&B, I have Tricare and as of Jan 2024 it will turn to Tricare 4life, a Humana rep wants me to take USAA honor plan at a zero cost for me. This is all quite confusing and I'm not real sure what to be aware of I am having some tell me I don't need anything since I get my prescriptions and most of my doctor visits through the VA, but if it does not cost me anything what would be the problem with it?

 

[MattB4]

Since I turn 65 next year I have put some research into the Medicare with Va health benefits and Medicare Advantage plans. Depending on your location some Advantage plans have a "Giveback" amount (towards Medicare B cost) alongside other coverages. Humana's Honor giveback for my location seems to max out at up to $100 and it is the highest of all the Medicare Advantage plans available. It does not give prescription drug coverage but it does have some dental and vision. Plus stupid crap like free group exercise programs.

When I get into the eligibility period I will be contacting them to insist that a real amount is stated instead of a "up to" amount. Be wary or what your Humana representative tells you. Read and understand "weasel words".

Medicare B has a penalty* if you do not sign up and pay regardless if you have VA. Medicare D has a penalty as well if you do not signup unless you have VA which is considered equivalent coverage.

* The penalty is a higher premium when you do signup for part B based on how long you avoided joining.

 

[workinonit]

When we finally got VA benefits for my dad the drug plan was very good. Around here the VA is where you go if you want to die so hopefully it's better everywhere else. If you want to learn about Medicare go to Medicareschool.com. The guy does a great job of explaining things.

 

[woody]

Matt from what the guy on the phone told me they pay 88 dollars a month towards my part B, I'm just having a hard time understanding how they can charge me zero and increase my benefits and then pay money for my Medicare part B.

 

[MattB4]

Matt from what the guy on the phone told me they pay 88 dollars a month towards my part B, I'm just having a hard time understanding how they can charge me zero and increase my benefits and then pay money for my Medicare part B.

Your premium for the advantage plan is zero. They get money from the medicare program in order to do this. However you must pay the medicare part B. From that you will have the monthly amount reduced by $88.

Insurance companies replace Part A and Part B with their own coverage setup and get paid by the government for doing so. It is a complicated setup that can work for some people better than traditional medicare but not all people. The devil is in the details of max amounts and co-pays plus providers allowed to treat your health needs. One thing for sure is Insurance companies are not charities. They can give a "giveback" because they make money even doing so.

 

[QRTRHRS]

The latest VA news letter has a link to a site called rallypoint. There is a short thread with similar questions. I do not know anything about the site other than it looks to be a legit site for vets.

Should I apply for VA Healthcare even if I have good private Insurance? | RallyPoint

I have decent Health Insurance through my company. Should I also apply for VA Healthcare? As far as I know I qualify on several counts including 1) I receive monthly disability payments from the VA and 2) I was discharged medically with a service connected disability. So, any benefit in...

www.rallypoint.com

As for me, while I have no complaints about the VA facility that I go to about their care, I continue to only use them for my hearing issues. Just to far to drive. Also, my wife and I both use many of the same doctors. We make joint appointments so it works out.

 

[KennyG]

Matt from what the guy on the phone told me they pay 88 dollars a month towards my part B, I'm just having a hard time understanding how they can charge me zero and increase my benefits and then pay money for my Medicare part B.

Advantage plans are cheaper because they require you to get your services within their "plan" which is a HMO type plan with limits on which doctors and hospitals you can use.

 

[ericm979]

Matt from what the guy on the phone told me they pay 88 dollars a month towards my part B, I'm just having a hard time understanding how they can charge me zero and increase my benefits and then pay money for my Medicare part B.

Because when you're really sick they withhold treatment. There's another Medicare thread here where a couple guys who sold Advantage plans quit doing so because so many customers came back and begged to go back to traditional Medicare when they got sick. You can't, it's one way.

The more I read about Advantage plans the more I think they're just another way for the health care industry to rake in huge profits while not serving people.

 

[MattB4]

...

The more I read about Advantage plans the more I think they're just another way for the health care industry to rake in huge profits while not serving people.

Insurance companies are not charities. The thing is traditional Medicare can be worse when it comes to getting healthcare paid for.

With VA benefits the Medicare Advantage plan with a "giveback" is a better deal than for those without the two systems to draw from. Paying the full $174.70 part B monthly cost is hard on the low income folks. To choose to not have Part B and only VA is often what they would resort to.

 

[dieselscout80]

The latest VA news letter has a link to a site called rallypoint. There is a short thread with similar questions. I do not know anything about the site other than it looks to be a legit site for vets.

Should I apply for VA Healthcare even if I have good private Insurance? | RallyPoint

I have decent Health Insurance through my company. Should I also apply for VA Healthcare? As far as I know I qualify on several counts including 1) I receive monthly disability payments from the VA and 2) I was discharged medically with a service connected disability. So, any benefit in...

www.rallypoint.com

As for me, while I have no complaints about the VA facility that I go to about their care, I continue to only use them for my hearing issues. Just to far to drive. Also, my wife and I both use many of the same doctors. We make joint appointments so it works out.

I use the VA for just about all my medical care.

I have NOT had any problems with my VA medical care.

 

[JohnDeereJoey]

I use the VA for just about all my medical care.

I have NOT had any problems with my VA medical care.

Same with me.

Open heart surgery, 2 cochlear implant surgeries, a shoulder replacement, a complex foot re-construction...with zero cost to me. Some of this by VA doctors, most by outside doctors. The majority of pre-care, pre-surgery testing, and post-surgery care at the VA.

Apparently, I live in an area with quality VA services. Yet still, some patients are constantly complaining about something! I think they have no idea how fortunate we are.

BTW, three times in 10's of years I felt the need to escalate a concern. Each time the issue was promptly addressed to my satisfaction.

 

[woody]

Because when you're really sick they withhold treatment. There's another Medicare thread here where a couple guys who sold Advantage plans quit doing so because so many customers came back and begged to go back to traditional Medicare when they got sick. You can't, it's one way.

The more I read about Advantage plans the more I think they're just another way for the health care industry to rake in huge profits while not serving people.

Thanks for all the replies I'll be asking the guy about this when he calls back, if I can't switch back because I am having a problem with it I don't think I like it.

 

[MattB4]

Thanks for all the replies I'll be asking the guy about this when he calls back, if I can't switch back because I am having a problem with it I don't think I like it.

Every year the eligibility to change your medicare plan comes up. It is presently that time now as all the TV ads that are clamoring for you to call in can attest to.

It is true that you can not change in between eligibility periods after making your choice for the coming year. The thing with medicare is it not really voluntary. You are sorta stuck regardless unless you are wealthy enough (or have a fully paid healthcare plan from some other source) to pay as you go.

 

[KennyG]

I'm not sure if VA impacts it, but if you choose an Advantage plan, you are stuck with it. Beyond basic Medicare, you can choose either a Supplemental plan or an Advantage plan to give you additional benefits (which bring Medicare up to the typical employer provided plan). If you choose an Advantage plan, you will not be able to switch to a Supplemental plan in the future.

There is a logic to this. All the plans depend on you signing up when you are 65 and (relatively) healthy so they can afford to pay for your increased health costs when you are 80.

Supplemental plans have higher costs but have much more flexibility.

 

[MattB4]

Sorry KenG but your answer is incorrect. I will link to the horse's mouth for those folks that that are unsure. Joining a plan | Medicare

 

[KennyG]

Sorry KenG but your answer is incorrect. I will link to the horse's mouth for those folks that that are unsure. Joining a plan | Medicare

Technically, you can switch from an Advantage plan to a Supplemental (Medigap) plan but if you are over 65 you are subject to Medical Underwriting. What this means is that if you have a pre-existing condition they can reject you or charge you higher rates. Most people who don't like their Advantage plans don't think they are getting adequate care which probably means they have a pre-existing condition.

So you don't have the "right" to switch back like you have the "right" to a Supplemental or Advantage plan when you first sign up for Medicare. You can be rejected or may have to pay a large increased premium.

 

[MattB4]

Insurance companies are not charities. So yes they will turn you down (if allowed) due to your health since they are not interested in paying out anymore than the law makes them. However you can go back to original Medicare that can not discriminate against you for a pre-existing health condition.

Bit like insisting an auto insurance company sign you up after you wreck your car so they would pay for it.

 

[woody]

So do we have anyone that is on the Humana USAA Honor plan and do you like it?

 

[MattB4]

A rather good article around the costs and issues of Medicare Advantage plans is this one: Medicare Advantage was meant to curb federal healthcare spending. It's costing more instead

One thing for sure is the way the US has structured healthcare is it is not sustainable. I imagine there is going to be some major changes. Perhaps full medical benefits if you accept life termination at age 70.