Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits Veterans Affairs benefits are administered by the federal government for people who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for a required period of time and received an honorable discharge or release. VA benefits do not coordinate with Medicare, though you can be enrolled in both. Veterans can receive VA covered health care services only at VA facilities. See also: Department of Veterans Affairs. offer creditable drug coverage. This means that if you are enrolled in VA drug coverage, you can delay Medicare Part D Part D, also known as the Medicare prescription drug benefit, is the part of Medicare that provides prescription drug coverage. Part D is offered through private companies either as a stand-alone plan, for those enrolled in Original Medicare, or as a set of benefits included with a Medicare Advantage Plan. enrollment without incurring a late enrollment penalty (LEP). Be sure to compare the costs and benefits of Part D and your VA drug coverage to decide which best suits your needs. Typically, VA drug coverage has no premiums and no or limited copayments for prescriptions—but you must use VA pharmacies and facilities. You may want Part D coverage if you:
- Live far from a VA pharmacy or facility, or do not want to use a VA provider See Health Care Provider. to get prescriptions
- Want the flexibility of filling prescriptions at retail pharmacies, or find the VA formulary The formulary is the list of prescription drugs covered by a Part D plan or Medicare Advantage Plan. If your drug is not on the formulary, you may have to request an exception, file an appeal, or pay out of pocket. too restrictive
- Reside in a non-VA nursing home A nursing home, also called a long-term care facility, is a residential facility for people with chronic illness or disability. Nursing home services include room and board, nursing care, personal care, and therapy services. A skilled nursing facility (SNF) is a nursing home that provides skilled care, but not all nursing homes are SNFs. Medicare does not cover the cost of nursing homes that are not SNFs. and want to get prescriptions from the long-term care pharmacy that works with your nursing home
- Qualify for full Extra Help, which has lower copays than VA coverage
If you are considering enrolling in VA drug coverage and Part D, remember that the two do not work together. Your VA benefits will only pay at VA pharmacies and facilities, and Part D will only pay at pharmacies in your plan’s network.
If you have questions about VA benefits and coverage, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-800-827-1000 or visit their website.