Frequently Asked Questions for Veterans
About Veterans Advantage Financial™
Q: What makes Veterans Advantage Financial™ different from other Medicare advisors?
A: We work exclusively with veterans, not seniors in general. After nearly 20 years in the Medicare industry, I founded Veterans Advantage Financial™ to focus solely on helping veterans navigate Medicare. We understand how Medicare works with VA benefits, TRICARE for Life, and service-connected disabilities. We're completely independent, meaning we can evaluate every Medicare plan available in your area, not just offerings from one or two companies. Our average client receives $110 monthly in Part B premium refunds, and my own dad, Wallace Duncan, a Vietnam-era veteran, gets $175 back each month.
Q: How much do your services cost?
A: Our services are completely free to veterans. Medicare regulations allow us to receive standard compensation from Medicare plans, so you pay exactly the same price whether you work with us or go directly to insurance companies. The difference is you get expert veteran-focused guidance at no additional cost.
Q: Are you affiliated with the VA or any insurance company?
A: No. We're completely independent. We don't work for the VA, Medicare, or any specific insurance company. This independence allows us to find the absolute best Medicare solution for each veteran's unique situation without corporate quotas or pressure to recommend specific plans.
Medicare Basics for Veterans
Q: I have VA healthcare. Do I really need Medicare?
A: Yes. The VA itself encourages veterans to sign up for Medicare, warning that "funding for VA health care could change in the future." Medicare provides nationwide emergency coverage, access to specialists without VA approval, and care while traveling. VA coverage is NOT creditable coverage for Medicare Part B, meaning if you delay enrollment, you'll face lifetime penalties of 10% per year you wait.
Q: What is a Medicare Part B premium refund?
A: It's money back in your pocket every month. Certain Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans actually reduce your $185 monthly Part B premium. The refund either increases your Social Security check or reduces your quarterly Medicare bill if you pay directly. In 2025, 32% of Medicare Advantage plans offer these refunds, with many providing $100 or more monthly. These aren't temporary promotions – they're legitimate benefits you've earned through decades of paying Medicare taxes.
Q: Will Medicare interfere with my VA benefits?
A: No. Medicare and VA benefits operate completely independently. You can continue using VA facilities exactly as you do now while having Medicare as backup for emergencies, travel, or when you need care the VA can't provide quickly. Think of it as having two separate healthcare systems that you can use strategically.
TRICARE for Life Questions
Q: I have TRICARE for Life. Do I need Medicare?
A: Yes, it's mandatory. Federal law requires you to have both Medicare Parts A and B to keep TRICARE for Life. Without both parts active, you lose TFL completely. There are no exceptions, regardless of your rank or years of service.
Q: Does TRICARE for Life work with Medicare Advantage plans?
A: Yes. Despite what you may have heard, TRICARE for Life works with Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans as secondary coverage, paying your deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. According to TRICARE's official website: "If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have Medicare. Medicare is still your primary coverage, and TRICARE For Life is the second payer for TRICARE-covered services."
Q: Do I need a Medigap plan if I have TRICARE for Life?
A: No. Buying Medigap when you have TFL is like buying a second car when you already have perfect transportation. TRICARE for Life already functions as the best Medicare Supplement available, covering all Medicare deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Save your money – you're paying for duplicate coverage you don't need.
Medicare Penalties and Enrollment
Q: When do I need to enroll in Medicare?
A: Your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months total: 3 months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and 3 months after. Enroll during the first 3 months for coverage to start on your 65th birthday. If you're already receiving Social Security benefits, you'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.
Q: Can I delay Medicare Part B if I have VA coverage?
A: No. VA coverage is NOT creditable coverage for Medicare Part B. If you delay enrollment past your Initial Enrollment Period, you'll face a 10% penalty for every 12-month period you wait, and this penalty lasts for life. The penalty is calculated as a percentage of the current Part B premium, so it grows every year as premiums increase.
Q: What if I'm still working and have employer coverage?
A: If you have creditable employer coverage (group plan with 20+ employees while actively working), you can delay Part B without penalty. You'll have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period after your employment or coverage ends. Contact your HR department to verify your coverage is creditable. Note: Retiree coverage and COBRA are NOT creditable.
Medicare Advantage Questions
Q: How do Medicare Advantage plans work with my military benefits?
A: Medicare Advantage plans enhance your military benefits without interfering with them. You keep all your VA and TRICARE benefits while potentially getting money back through Part B premium refunds plus extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing aids, and gym memberships that military coverage doesn't provide.
Q: Can I see any doctor with Medicare Advantage?
A: It depends on the plan type. Over 90% of our veteran clients choose PPO plans that let you see any doctor who accepts Medicare, though you'll pay less for in-network providers. All Medicare Advantage plans, whether PPO or HMO, cover emergency care at any hospital nationwide without network restrictions.
Q: Can I change Medicare Advantage plans if I don't like mine?
A: Yes. You can change plans every year during the Annual Election Period (October 15 - December 7). If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can also switch to a different plan or return to Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 - March 31). If you have TRICARE for Life, you can disenroll from Medicare Advantage at any time during the year.
Cost and Financial Questions
Q: What will Medicare cost me as a veteran?
A: The standard Part B premium is $185 monthly in 2025. However, many Medicare Advantage plans offer premium refunds that can reduce or eliminate this cost. Most Medicare Advantage plans have $0 monthly premiums beyond Part B. Your actual costs depend on your income (IRMAA surcharges apply to higher earners) and which plan you choose.
Q: What is IRMAA and can I appeal it?
A: IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is an additional surcharge for Medicare beneficiaries with higher incomes. It's based on your income from 2 years prior. If your income has dropped due to retirement, divorce, death of spouse, or other life-changing events, you can appeal using Form SSA-44. We provide the form and guidance on documentation needed for appeals.
Q: How do Part B premium refunds affect my taxes?
A: Part B premium refunds reduce your Medicare costs but aren't considered taxable income. They either increase your Social Security deposit or reduce your Medicare premium bill. Consult your tax advisor for specific guidance about your situation.
Working with Veterans Advantage Financial™
Q: What areas do you serve?
A: We're licensed in all 50 states and work with veterans nationwide. Most consultations are done by phone, making it convenient regardless of where you live.
Q: What's the first step in working with you?
A: Call us at 888-960-8387 (VETS) for a free 15-minute Medicare review. We'll discuss your current situation, identify any veteran-specific opportunities you might be missing, and explain your options. There's no pressure and no sales tactics – just honest guidance about your Medicare choices.
Q: Do you only recommend Medicare Advantage plans?
A: No. As independent specialists, we recommend whatever works best for each veteran's unique situation. While many veterans benefit from Medicare Advantage plans with Part B premium refunds, we also help veterans with Original Medicare and even Medicare Supplements when that's the best fit. Our job is finding what works for you, not pushing any particular type of plan.
Q: What ongoing support do you provide?
A: Unlike advisors who disappear after enrollment, we provide ongoing support including annual reviews during Open Enrollment to ensure you're getting maximum benefits, assistance with billing questions, updates on new plans entering your market, and guidance when your health needs change. You're building a long-term relationship with specialists who understand veteran benefits.
Q: I'm not turning 65 yet. When should I contact you?
A: The best time is 6 months before your 65th birthday. This gives us time to review your situation, explain your options, and ensure you enroll at the right time to avoid penalties. However, if you're already on Medicare and haven't had a veteran-focused review, call us anytime to see if you're missing benefits.
Have more questions? Call us at 888-960-8387 (VETS) to speak with a Medicare specialist who understands your veteran benefits. Experience what We Speak Veteran™ really means.
