Posted on Dec 17, 2020
Do I need to sign up for Medicare since I use the VA for my medical care?
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I'm not drawing Social Security retirement and don't plan to for some time. I've heard that I can be penalized if I don't sign up for Medicare
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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you are required, by law, to sign up for medicare. you don't have to use it but you do have to sign up once you turn 65.
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Yes By Law, even if VA/TRICARE is your primary care provider, you must have Medicare parts A &B as a minimum. when you reach the right age.
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Capt Krystyna King
One must take sign up for Medicare Part B in order to qualify for Tricare For Life. Also, the VA is not creditable coverage for Medicare Part B as the VA does not cover cost of insurance copayments and/or premiums. VA meets the minimum requirements for the Affordable Care Act but is not health care insurance. I would recommend to speak with a Tricare representative as well as reviewing the VA Health Care Benefits Overview 2023 edition.
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If you plan on not ever using a Doctor outside of VA, you only need Part A which you have already paid for, you will pay a 10 % penalty per year if you later chose to to get Part B. It all depends on your need for doctor coverage outside of VA. You will get Part A no matter what as you paid for that while working.
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LCDR (Join to see)
Another point is that Medicare is not valid outside of the US. If you ever plan to travel abroad, when shopping for a Medicare supplement consider whether they provide coverage internationally. Otherwise, consider medical insurance for any trip you take outside of the US.
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SP5 William M. Davis
Sgt. Lee You are partially correct.
2023 Part B is now $164.90. 10% penalty is $16.49
In your scenario It has been 5 years. 16.49 x 5 = 82.45 penalty
Your Part B is now 164.90 + 82.45 = $248.35 every month. As the premium goes up the penalty also increases. In my case not sure how much the premium was 13 years ago but say it was 134.00. 10% = 13.40 x 13 = a penalty of 174.20 + the monthly Part B $134.00 would make my monthly premium somewhere about $308.20 per month. After Social Security runs all the calculations now in 2023 I am sure it would be closer to $400-$500 each and every month going forward. No way I can afford that in 2023-2024
In most cases Veterans should definitely take Part B as soon as it’s available
Wish I had
2023 Part B is now $164.90. 10% penalty is $16.49
In your scenario It has been 5 years. 16.49 x 5 = 82.45 penalty
Your Part B is now 164.90 + 82.45 = $248.35 every month. As the premium goes up the penalty also increases. In my case not sure how much the premium was 13 years ago but say it was 134.00. 10% = 13.40 x 13 = a penalty of 174.20 + the monthly Part B $134.00 would make my monthly premium somewhere about $308.20 per month. After Social Security runs all the calculations now in 2023 I am sure it would be closer to $400-$500 each and every month going forward. No way I can afford that in 2023-2024
In most cases Veterans should definitely take Part B as soon as it’s available
Wish I had
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PO1 David Kent
My understanding is the penalty is only enforced if you can not prove that you were/are covered by another healthcare plan such as a working spouse who carries you on a family HC plan.
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CPT T Reardon
PO1 David Kent - it's called "Creditable Coverage". Good luck getting that defined by Medicare. You don't submit the proof of creditable coverage now, you would if you are fined a penalty for not taking coverage when you should have. Then you submit your proof of coverage (make sure you keep something that says it, like premiums or policy statement from working spouse, etc) and SOMEONE decides if it's creditable or not. I dont know if you then have the right to appeal, etc. Medicare should explain these things in detail.
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