Introduction

You’ve mastered some of the most complex systems in the world. From your first day in basic training to your final discharge, you navigated military regulations, decoded endless paperwork, and met impossible deadlines under pressure. You became fluent in military procedures and could follow protocol like it was second nature. In short, you mastered the military’s playbook.

But now you’re facing Medicare, and suddenly you might feel like that confused recruit on day one all over again. Except this time, the stakes are your healthcare and your financial security.

Here’s what makes it even more frustrating: everyone seems to have different advice. The person at the VA tells you one thing. Your buddy at the VFW swears by something completely different. Even well-meaning doctors at the VA give out bad advice because they are doctors, not experts with Medicare. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking on enrollment deadlines, and the specter of lifetime penalties hangs over your head.

Miss a critical step, and you could lose essential coverage, face higher premiums that last forever, or forfeit hundreds of dollars each month in Medicare Part B premium refunds that you’ve already earned through decades of service.

The Problem with “One-Size-Fits-All” Medicare Advice

Here’s something that might surprise you: most Medicare advisors have never worked exclusively with veterans. They don’t understand when Medicare works together with military benefits and when it doesn’t. They don’t understand VA priority groups, TRICARE coordination, or service-connected disabilities. They treat you like any other 65-year-old walking through the door that has never served.

Think about it this way. You wouldn’t go to a knee specialist if you needed brain surgery, and you wouldn’t go to a brain surgeon if you needed knee surgery. So why would you go to a Medicare generalist when you need someone who specializes exclusively in veteran Medicare issues?

Yet that’s exactly what happens to thousands of veterans every year. They get generic Medicare advice that ignores their military benefits, misses veteran-specific opportunities, and sometimes even conflicts with their existing coverage.

Who I Am and Why I Wrote This Field Guide

I’m Christopher Duncan, a Certified Medicare Insurance Planner™ and Retirement Income Certified Professional® with nearly 20 years of Medicare experience. But here’s what makes my team and me different: we work exclusively with veterans. Not seniors in general. Not “anyone over 65.” Just veterans.

That’s why I trademarked the phrase We Speak Veteran™.

This specialization isn’t just a marketing slogan. It’s the foundation of everything we do. While other Medicare advisors are trying to be everything to everyone, my team and I have spent years learning the intricacies of how Medicare works specifically with VA benefits, TRICARE for Life, and the unique situations veterans face.

This confusion you’re experiencing, this overwhelming sense of “I should know this, but I don’t,” is exactly why I felt compelled to write this field guide. Over the years, my team and I have guided thousands of veterans through Medicare decisions, and I’ve seen the same dangerous misconceptions repeated over and over again.

I’ve watched accomplished veterans delay Medicare enrollment, thinking their VA coverage was enough, only to get hit with lifetime penalties that cost them tens of thousands of dollars. I’ve seen military retirees unknowingly cancel their TRICARE for Life benefits because they didn’t understand Medicare’s requirements. And I’ve met countless veterans who had never heard of Medicare Part B premium refunds because their generalist advisor never mentioned they existed.

Take my dad, Wallace Duncan, a Vietnam-era veteran. In 2025 when this field guide is written, he receives a $175 monthly Medicare Part B premium refund through his Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, putting over $2,000 back in his pocket every year. Yet thousands of veterans are missing out on similar opportunities simply because no one told them these benefits exist.

Here’s what became crystal clear to me: these weren’t careless mistakes. These are patriots who served their country with honor and dedication. They deserve better than confusing government jargon, complicated regulations, and generic advice from people who don’t understand their unique situation.

They deserve someone who truly speaks their language.

Why Independence Matters

There’s another crucial difference between my approach and what you’ll find elsewhere. My team and I are completely independent. We don’t work for the VA, Medicare, or any specific insurance company. We’re not bound by corporate quotas or pressured to sell particular plans.

This independence gives us the freedom to do one thing: find the absolute best Medicare solution for each veteran’s unique situation. Whether that’s finding plans with the highest Part B premium refunds, coordinating with existing TRICARE benefits, or making sure Medicare works alongside your military benefits and filling gaps left by military benefits, our only loyalty is to each veteran we serve.

When you need brain surgery, you want a brain surgeon who’s focused entirely on your brain, not someone who’s thinking about the knee surgery they have scheduled next. When you need veteran Medicare guidance, you want specialists who think only about veteran Medicare issues.

My Promise to You

I’m going to give you straight answers with no hidden agendas and no disguised sales pitches. Just clear, direct guidance on how Medicare, VA benefits, and TRICARE for Life work to create the strongest possible healthcare safety net for your retirement.

Here’s something else that’s important for you to know: Medicare rules are structured so that my team and I can provide all of our services completely free to veterans while still making a living helping veterans navigate these complex decisions. This means there’s never any cost to you for our guidance, reviews, or ongoing support. You pay exactly the same for your Medicare coverage whether you work with us or go directly to the insurance companies—the difference is you get expert veteran-focused guidance at no additional cost.

Whether you’re planning to rely mainly on VA care, you have TRICARE for Life, or you’re helping a family member navigate these decisions, by the time you finish this field guide, you’ll have:

• A clear roadmap for choosing the best healthcare coverage for your unique situation
• Proven strategies to avoid costly, lifetime penalties that can drain your retirement income
• Step-by-step instructions for claiming every dollar of benefits you’ve earned, including Medicare Part B premium refunds when they’re available
• The knowledge to recognize generic advice versus veteran-specialized guidance
• The confidence to make Medicare decisions that protect both your health and your finances

Who This Field Guide Is For

I wrote this specifically for:

• Veterans who use VA healthcare and want a solid backup plan for civilian medical care
• Military retirees with TRICARE for Life who need to maintain Medicare to keep this valuable benefit
• Spouses, caregivers, and family members who help veterans make important healthcare decisions
• Any veteran who’s tired of getting generic Medicare advice that ignores their military benefits

If any of these descriptions fit you, then you’re exactly who I had in mind. Your hard-earned benefits are on the line, and this field guide will give you the knowledge and tools to understand, protect, and maximize them.

What Makes This Different

This isn’t another generic Medicare guide with a veteran logo slapped on the cover. Every strategy, every example, and every piece of advice in this field guide has been tested with real veterans facing real Medicare decisions. The case studies you’ll read aren’t hypothetical—they’re based on actual veterans my team and I have helped over the years.

You’ll learn not just what to do, but why it works specifically for veterans. You’ll understand how to coordinate your military benefits with Medicare to create coverage that’s often better and usually less expensive than what civilian retirees can access.

Most importantly, you’ll discover veteran-specific opportunities that most Medicare advisors never mention because they don’t specialize in military benefits.

Ready to Take Control?

Your service has earned you benefits that extend far beyond what most Americans can access in retirement. The key is knowing how to coordinate these benefits properly with specialists who understand your unique situation and use veteran-focused strategies.

You wouldn’t trust your brain surgery to a knee specialist. Don’t trust your Medicare decisions to a generalist who doesn’t understand military benefits.

Let’s get started.

---

If you have questions as you read through this field guide, my team and I are here to help. You can reach us at 888-960-8387 (VETS) or find educational content on our social media channels. We’re here when you’re ready to turn knowledge into action.

Chapter 1 — Medicare Basics for Veterans

Everything you need to know to get started

---

1. Medicare at a Glance—What It Really Means for Veterans

Let’s start with the basics, but from a veteran’s perspective. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for Americans age 65 and older, plus some younger people with specific disabilities. But here’s what most generic Medicare guides won’t tell you: for veterans, Medicare isn’t just another insurance option. It’s often the keystone that holds your entire healthcare strategy together.

When you enroll in Medicare, it generally becomes the primary payer for medical services you receive outside the VA system. This means Medicare pays first, and other coverage like TRICARE for Life kicks in afterward. If you only have VA health benefits and no Medicare coverage, you have no coverage outside of the VA health system. The VA itself recommends you have Medicare as backup because VA funding and benefits can change over time. If you’re a military retiree, Medicare Parts A and B aren’t optional. They’re mandatory for keeping your TRICARE for Life benefits.

Think of it this way: Medicare is like the foundation of a house. Your VA benefits, TRICARE for Life, and other military health benefits are the rooms built on top of that foundation. Without a solid Medicare foundation, the whole structure becomes unstable. Now, if you’re like my dad and use the VA for 95% of your health services, you might think of the VA as your primary foundation. But Medicare is still that critical backup structure, ready when the VA falls short. On more than one occasion, the VA has denied my father coverage. He didn’t panic because he had Medicare as his backup plan.

This layered approach isn’t just smart. It’s essential. Why does this matter so much? Because life happens. Sometimes the closest VA facility is hours away. Maybe you need to see a specialist who’s not available through the VA. Perhaps you’re traveling and a medical emergency strikes. That’s when Medicare becomes your ‘universal backup plan,’ your go-to coverage when you need care outside the VA system.

Just like you wouldn’t deploy with only one piece of critical equipment, you shouldn’t navigate retirement healthcare with only one coverage option. Smart veterans layer their benefits strategically, creating multiple lines of defense for their healthcare needs.

2. The Four Parts—Decoded for Veterans

Medicare has different parts, and yes, it can seem complicated at first. But when you understand how each part works with your existing military benefits, it starts to make sense. Let me break it down in plain English:

Part A: Hospital Insurance

What it covers: Hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, some home health care, hospice care 2025 cost: $0 for most veterans (you already paid through payroll taxes during your career) Why veterans need it:

• Keeps TRICARE for Life active for military retirees
• Covers hospital stays anywhere Medicare is accepted
• Essential foundation for all other Medicare benefits

Part B: Medical Insurance

What it covers: Doctor visits, outpatient procedures, lab tests, durable medical equipment 2025 cost: $185/month standard premium (higher if you have high income due to IRMAA surcharges) Why veterans need it:

• Required for TRICARE for Life (lose TFL without it)
• Essential for any Medicare Advantage (Part C)
• Backbone of outpatient care nationwide
• Emergency room coverage anywhere in the US, even at facilities that don’t accept Medicare
• Gateway to Medicare Part B premium refunds

Part C: Medicare Advantage

What it covers: Must at least provide every benefit that Part A and B cover, often with extras like dental, vision, hearing 2025 cost: Varies, often $0 premium with many offering Part B premium refunds Why veterans love it:

• Allows continued use of VA and TRICARE benefits
• Many plans offer Part B premium refunds (money back in your pocket)
• Extra benefits like dental, vision, gym memberships
• Can provide better coordination with military benefits
• Emergency room coverage anywhere in the US, even at facilities outside your plan’s network

Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage

What it covers: Prescription medications (if not included in Part C) 2025 cost: Varies by plan Why it’s optional for many veterans:

• VA prescription coverage is “creditable” (protects from penalties)
• TRICARE for Life includes prescription benefits
• Many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include drug coverage
• Most veterans don’t need separate Part D because their military benefits already provide creditable drug coverage

3. Where the Money Comes From—You’ve Already Paid Your Dues

Here’s something that might surprise you. Remember those old pay stubs from your military service and civilian career? There was a line item called “FICA”—the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax that funds Social Security and Medicare.

Over a typical 40-year career, if you averaged making $50,000 per year, you likely contributed around $58,000 toward Medicare Insurance. If you averaged more than $50,000 per year, then a higher amount has been paid into Medicare by you and your employers. So when we talk about Medicare benefits, you’re not getting something “free.” You’re collecting on an investment you’ve been making your entire working life.

Many veterans make a costly mistake. They skip Medicare Part B with the thought, “I have VA benefits, and that’s enough.” What they’re really saying is they don’t want to pay the Part B premium, and I don’t blame them for that concern. But here’s what they don’t realize: there are now Medicare Part C plans with $0 premiums that refund or pay a large portion of the Medicare Part B premium on your behalf.

Not enrolling in Part B is like walking away from decades of your own contributions to Medicare. You’ve already paid into the system your entire working life. Why would you walk away from benefits you’ve already paid for?

Here’s the bigger picture. This changes how you should think about Medicare costs. Those “$0 premium” Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans aren’t really free. They’re funded partly by the taxes you already paid over decades of work. And when a plan offers a Part B premium refund (returning part of your monthly premium to you), it’s essentially giving you back money that’s rightfully yours.

My dad, Wallace, understands this perfectly. His $175 monthly Part B premium refund isn’t charity from an insurance company. It’s a return on the investment he’s made through decades of payroll taxes.

4. Three Critical Reasons Veterans Cannot Ignore Medicare

Beyond general health coverage, here’s why Medicare is absolutely essential for veterans. Let me explain the three most important reasons:

Reason #1: VA Funding and Eligibility Can Change

The VA budget is set by Congress every year. Funding levels, eligibility criteria, and covered services can shift based on political decisions that have nothing to do with your needs. Your VA care might be affected by factors completely outside your control.

Medicare, however, is a federal entitlement. You’ve earned and paid for these benefits your entire working life. Once you’re enrolled, your coverage is guaranteed by law. It’s security you control, not politicians.

Reason #2: Emergency Freedom Nationwide

In a medical emergency, any hospital must treat you, even if it’s not a VA facility. But here’s the catch: the VA might not cover the bills if they determine it wasn’t an approved emergency or if you could have reasonably reached a VA facility.

Medicare is your universal backup for emergency care. Every facility in the US must accept your Medicare Parts A, B, and C during an emergency. It provides financial protection when emergencies happen away from VA facilities, which is especially important if you travel or live far from VA care.

Reason #3: TRICARE for Life Depends on It

If you’re a military retiree with TRICARE for Life, listen carefully: TRICARE for Life requires you to have both Medicare Part A and Part B. Skip Part B, and you lose TRICARE for Life entirely. This isn’t optional. It’s mandatory by federal law, if you want to have the TRICARE for Life benefits you’ve earned.

Enrolling in Medicare on time ensures you keep this valuable benefit that acts as outstanding secondary coverage, eliminating virtually all out-of-pocket costs for covered medical services. When we’re talking with career military veterans who have TRICARE for Life, we call it the ‘golden ticket’ of medical coverage.

5. Where Generic Medicare Advice Falls Short for Veterans

This is where the specialist versus generalist distinction becomes crystal clear. A typical Medicare advisor might tell you things like:

• “Just get a Medicare Supplement plan to cover the gaps”
• “Medicare Advantage plans limit your doctor choices”
• “You should always enroll in Part D to avoid penalties”
• “Original Medicare is always better than Medicare Advantage”

This advice sounds reasonable on the surface. But here’s what they’re missing: veterans have benefits that civilian retirees don’t have.

For example, that Medicare Supplement recommendation? It’s a waste of money if you have TRICARE for Life, which already functions as the best Medicare Supplement available. TRICARE for Life will also pay all of the Medicare Part C deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. That Part D enrollment advice? It’s often unnecessary since both VA and TRICARE for Life prescription benefits are creditable coverage that protects you from penalties. What works for a typical 65-year-old retiree might be completely wrong for a veteran with VA benefits or a military retiree with TRICARE for Life.

A veteran Medicare specialist understands these nuances and can save you from costly mistakes. A generalist Medicare advisor often doesn’t, which can cost you thousands in unnecessary premiums or missed opportunities like Part B premium refunds.

6. Common Mistakes Veterans Make (And How Specialists Help You Avoid Them)

Let me share the biggest missteps I see veterans make when they get generic Medicare advice:

Mistake #1: Waiting Past 65 to Enroll in Part B

Many veterans think, “The VA covers me, I’ll sign up later.” This is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. For every 12-month period you delay Part B after your Initial Enrollment Period, you face a lifelong 10% penalty on your Part B premium. On a regular basis we have veterans that call us at age 70, 75 wanting to put their Part B in place, because the VA health system isn’t meeting all their needs. To be clear, my dad and I love the VA health system, dad receives great care at his facility and almost all those who contact us have a very positive experience.

But as my dad says, “Chris, the VA health system is great, but it ain’t perfect.” They contact social security to try and put their Part B in place only to learn they have to wait for the general enrollment period that goes from January 1 to March 31, but the big shock is the Part B premium penalty they have to pay every month for the rest of their life. 

Many times they tell us someone gave them bad advice: a VA representative said VA coverage is creditable for Part B (it’s only creditable for Part D), a doctor told them they don’t need Part B, or worst of all, a Social Security representative told them to skip Medicare and save the premium. Social Security representatives aren’t trained on Medicare plans that can refund Part B premiums for veterans. 

Veteran Medicare specialist insight: VA coverage is not “creditable coverage” for Medicare Part B penalty purposes. You need to enroll on time to avoid penalties, regardless of your VA benefits.

Mistake #2: Thinking TRICARE for Life Replaces Medicare

TRICARE for Life doesn’t replace Medicare. It works with Medicare as secondary coverage. Without at least Medicare Parts A and B, TRICARE for Life simply doesn’t function. (TRICARE for Life also works with Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage)

Veteran Medicare specialist insight: Medicare (Parts A, B, or C) pays first, TFL covers what’s left, giving you virtually zero out-of-pocket costs.

Mistake #3: Dismissing Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plans

Some veterans think Medicare Advantage is only for civilians or that it will interfere with their VA benefits. This misconception costs them thousands in missed benefits.

Veteran Medicare specialist insight: Many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are designed specifically to work with VA benefits and TRICARE for Life. They don’t interfere with your military benefits—they enhance them with extras like dental, vision, and Part B premium refunds.

Mistake #4: Believing TRICARE for Life Won’t Work with Medicare Advantage (Part C)

This might be the most damaging misconception of all. Many veterans are told by TRICARE representatives, VA staff, or even Medicare advisors that “TRICARE for Life doesn’t work with Medicare Advantage plans” or that “you’ll lose your TRICARE benefits if you choose Part C.” This is completely false and costs veterans thousands in missed benefits.

The truth is TRICARE for Life works with Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. You still have Medicare when you enroll in Part C, Medicare Advantage remains your primary coverage, and TRICARE for Life continues as your secondary payer. The only difference is that Medicare Advantage claims don’t automatically crossover to TRICARE, so you may need to file claims manually for TRICARE-covered services. 

Here’s where real-world veteran Medicare specialists have an advantage over generalists. Specialists understand how the system actually works in practice, not just what’s written in a manual. Medical providers run businesses, and as they serve more Medicare-eligible patients, they’ve learned how to streamline billing for maximum reimbursement. TRICARE for Life is run by Wisconsin Physician Services. Many providers that see veterans now with TRICARE Prime or Select, for example, already know how to bill TRICARE for Life directly for the deductibles, copays and coinsurance they are owed. If a provider doesn’t happen to bill TRICARE for Life directly, the member pays the copay on their own and files to be reimbursed for the copay. We have the form readily available to provide to our clients.  In years past, we regularly provided this form to clients. But we haven’t had a single client request it in the last two years. Why? Because providers are increasingly working with Medicare beneficiaries and have learned to bill all payment sources efficiently. 

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer significant benefits that veterans miss out on because of this misconception: Part B premium refunds, dental coverage, vision benefits, hearing aids, and gym memberships. TRICARE for Life supplements Medicare Advantage plans just like it does Original Medicare, since all Medicare Advantage plans are Medicare by law. 

Veteran Medicare specialist insight:  A veteran Medicare specialist knows that TRICARE for Life is designed to work with ALL Medicare options, including Part C. They can help you find Medicare Advantage plans specifically designed for military families that enhance rather than complicate your benefits.

The bottom line: This misconception is particularly costly because it prevents veterans from accessing plans that could put hundreds of dollars back in their pockets monthly while providing additional benefits. A veteran Medicare specialist knows which plans complement your military benefits instead of competing with them.

7. The Power of Veteran-Focused Guidance

When we work with veterans, we don’t start with generic Medicare questions. I start with questions like:

• Do you have TRICARE Prime or Select? (if under 65)
• Do you have a spouse or children on your TRICARE Prime or Select?
• Do you have TRICARE for Life?
• What’s your VA priority group?
• Do you use Community Care?
• Do you have any level of disability?
• How far do you live from VA facilities?
• Do you get your prescription from a VA facility?
• If so, do you get them directly at a VA facility or through mail order?
• What percentage of your care do you get through the VA versus civilian providers?
• Do you travel frequently or spend time in multiple states?

These aren’t questions that generic Medicare advisors think to ask, but they’re absolutely crucial for developing the right strategy for your situation. For example, a veteran who’s 100% service-connected and lives next to a VA medical center needs a completely different Medicare strategy than a veteran with 20% disability who uses VA care occasionally and travels frequently between states.

Veterans who work with specialists consistently end up with better outcomes: lower out-of-pocket costs, more comprehensive coverage, and Medicare strategies that enhance their military benefits instead of competing with them.

This veteran-specific approach is exactly what We Speak Veteran™ means. Understanding your unique military situation to build the right Medicare strategy for you.

8. Key Takeaways for Veterans

Let’s recap the essential points every veteran needs to understand:

✓ Medicare is your nationwide safety net that works alongside (not instead of) your VA benefits and keeps TRICARE for Life active

✓ Part A is usually premium-free, Part B costs $185/month in 2025—and missing Part B enrollment can lead to costly lifetime penalties

✓ Medicare Advantage (Part C) doesn’t cancel your VA or TRICARE benefits—it can enhance them while potentially providing monthly premium refunds

✓ You’ve already paid for these benefits through decades of FICA taxes—you’re not getting charity, you’re collecting on your investment

✓ Generic Medicare advice often fails veterans—you need guidance from specialists who understand military benefits

✓ The right strategy coordinates all your benefits to create coverage that’s often better and less expensive than what civilian retirees can access

✓ TRICARE for Life and Medicare Advantage (Part C) work together—Part C acts as your primary coverage while TRICARE for Life functions as secondary insurance, covering what Part C doesn’t pay and often eliminating your out-of-pocket costs entirely

9. What’s Coming Next

Now that you understand Medicare basics from a veteran’s perspective, Chapter 2 will dive into a crucial question: How exactly do VA health benefits and Medicare complement each other? Can they coexist without creating conflicts?

Spoiler alert: Yes, they can—and when coordinated properly by someone who understands both systems, they create a powerful combination that gives you the best of both worlds.

We’ll explore how smart veterans use both systems strategically, the specific situations where Medicare fills critical gaps in VA and TRICARE for Life coverage, and why the right specialist guidance makes all the difference in maximizing your benefits.

---

Questions about how Medicare works with your specific VA or TRICARE benefits? My team and I help veterans navigate these decisions every day. Call us at 888-960-8387 (VETS) for personalized guidance that demonstrates what WE SPEAK VETERAN™ really means.