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. With nearly 20 years of Medicare experience, 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 options available in your area, not just offerings from one or two companies. My own dad, Wallace Duncan, a Vietnam-era veteran, uses Medicare options that work well with his VA benefits.

Q: How much do your services cost?

A: Medicare rules enable us to provide our services completely free to veterans. 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 best Medicare solution for each veteran's unique situation without corporate quotas or pressure to recommend specific options.

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, stating "We recommend you enroll in Medicare" and warning that "funding for VA health care could change in the future" (Source: VA.gov). 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 percent per year you wait (Source: Medicare.gov).

Q: What are Medicare Part B givebacks?

A: The Medicare & You handbook states on page 11 that some Medicare options from private companies can help pay your Part B premium. You've contributed to Medicare through FICA taxes your whole working life. The typical person earning $50,000 annually contributes about $58,000 to Medicare over their career. If you made more, you paid more. Options vary significantly by county, so what's available depends on where you live. Call us to see what options are available in your specific area.

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 (Source: TRICARE.mil). 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 options from private companies?

A: Yes. Despite what you may have heard, TRICARE for Life works with options from private companies that contract with Medicare as wraparound 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" (Source: TRICARE.mil).

Q: Do I need a Medigap plan if I have TRICARE for Life?

A: No. Buying Medigap when you have TFL is paying for duplicate coverage you don't need. TRICARE for Life already functions as excellent secondary coverage, covering Medicare deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Save your money. You're already fully protected.

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 (Source: Medicare.gov). 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 (Source: Medicare.gov). If you delay enrollment past your Initial Enrollment Period, you'll face a 10 percent 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 or more 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 Options Questions

Q: How do Medicare options work with my military benefits?

A: Medicare options from private companies work alongside your military benefits without interfering with them. You keep all your VA and TRICARE benefits while potentially accessing additional benefits that military coverage doesn't provide. Options vary significantly by county.

Q: Can I see any doctor with Medicare options from private companies?

A: It depends on the specific option type. Over 90 percent of our veteran clients choose PPO options that let you see any doctor who accepts Medicare, though you'll pay less for in-network providers (Veterans Advantage Financial internal data). All options cover emergency care at any hospital nationwide without network restrictions.

Q: Can I change Medicare options if I don't like mine?

A: Yes. You can change options every year during the Annual Election Period (October 15 through December 7). If you're already enrolled in an option, you can also switch to a different option or return to Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 through March 31). If you have TRICARE for Life, you can disenroll from Medicare Advantage at any time during the year (Source: TRICARE.mil).

Cost and Financial Questions

Q: What will Medicare cost me as a veteran?

A: The standard Part B premium is $185 monthly in 2025, with projections of $206.50 for 2026 (Source: Medicare.gov). Some options can help with Part B costs. Your actual costs depend on your income (IRMAA surcharges apply to higher earners) and which option you choose. Options vary significantly by county, so call us to discuss what's available in your area.

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 guidance on documentation needed for appeals.

Q: How do Medicare options affect my taxes?

A: The way Medicare options work with Part B costs varies by the specific option. 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 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. Just honest guidance about your Medicare choices.

Q: Do you only recommend one type of Medicare option?

A: No. As independent specialists, we recommend whatever works best for each veteran's unique situation. We help veterans evaluate all available options. Our job is finding what works for you, not pushing any particular type of option.

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 options 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.

For more information, check out our Medicare and VA Forms page or read our comprehensive guide on common Medicare mistakes veterans make.