If you’re enrolled in the VA’s healthcare program, you may not see any advantage that Medicare can have for you. But experts, not to mention the VA itself, recommend taking advantage of Medicare once you become eligible for a myriad of good reasons.
Perhaps the most convincing is the uncertainty surrounding the VA program in the future. Medical funding must be approved by Congress every single year, and what if lawmakers decide on less funding that’s not nearly sufficient to meet the needs of an increasing number of veterans? With Medicare, you would have reliable coverage with a wider variety of medical options.
Medicare coverage is also better when you’re faced with emergency situations where a civilian hospital offers the best option for immediate treatment – when you don’t exactly have the time to wait for VA authorization. But what about the premiums? There are financial assistance options available if you’re struggling to make ends meet.
However, you should know that you may be subject to penalties, including higher premiums, if you sign up after the initial enrollment period, the seven-month period of time surrounding your sixty-fifth birthday. So if you’re approaching age sixty-five, now is the time to consider the pluses and minuses of the Medicare program for your unique situation.
The West Virginia Veterans Benefits Attorneys of Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, have a mission to help veterans obtain all of the coverage to which they’re entitled. To schedule a 100% free initial consultation, call 877-526-3455 or fill out our online contact form. We will fight for the benefits you deserve.
