TRICARE and VA Benefits

Thank you for your service!

TRICARE for Life- Retired Military and their spouses

At age 65 you are eligible for Tricare for Life. You must add Medicare parts A and B as well. You have robust coverage and should pay nothing for A/B medical services.

You do not need to add a part C plan, but can gain many extra benefits if you do. Some plans are designed for Veterans, and include no drug coverage (does not interfere with TRICARE). These plans offer: 

• Robust Dental insurance allowances

• Vision allowance

• Hearing aid coverage

• Money back to your Social Security check each month

• Grocery cards

• Silver Sneakers

VA Benefits

Those eligible for VA healthcare are not required to add part B, but it is recommended by the VA. 

You also would greatly benefit from a part C plan by receiving the benefits listed above

TRICARE Medical Billing- the part C plan does change your billing arrangement. The plan becomes your Primary, and Tricare remains secondary

• If the plan has a network, Tricare may not pay the full out of network coinsurance if you go outside of the plan’s network

• The part C plan will not forward your bill on to Tricare- your doctor’s office needs to complete that step. This differs from the current arrangement, where Medicare does this automatically. 

• Your doctor should send the bill to Wisconsin Physician Services, who manages billing for Tricare

CHAMPVA operates the same way with billing

Regular VA healthcare does not coordinate with Medicare, but the VA may pay your share of costs if you notify them promptly after receiving civilian care.