Doug had spent time in the military and was wounded in combat when he was in his twenties. Even though he had employer health insurance, he still preferred his local VA medical services and rarely used his employer plan. Doug was turning 65 in a few months and thinking about retiring. He would lose his employer plan, leaving him with only his VA medical coverage. While he was satisfied with his care at the VA, he wanted to explore his options.
His VA Buddies Had the Answer
While at a baseball game with his older VA buddies, he asked what they had done when turning 65. His buddies encouraged him to explore Medicare since he would soon be eligible. His buddies gave him a phone number and told him, "These are the only people you need to talk to." They suggested calling our office.
We set him up to learn about Medicare first with an on-demand workshop online from the comfort of his home. He enjoyed the informative 30-minute "Medicare Made 123Easy" workshop to learn about: 1) All the choices with Medicare plans, 2) When he needed to enroll in Medicare, and 3) what it would all cost.
At the end of the workshop, there was a Q&A, and Doug didn't hesitate to ask, "What if I have VA medical coverage?" The presenters, David & David, were happy he asked! "You can have Medicare and VA coverage since they are two totally different systems. The benefit is that you can choose between using the private healthcare service plan or the VA services, particularly in an emergency."
The presenters recommended that he have a personal appointment to review his specific healthcare needs. During his appointment with a Certified Medicare Planner®, Doug was excited to learn that there were Medicare Advantage plans in his area that provided benefits not covered by the VA. And, while his prescription cost was minimal at the VA, his prescriptions on the Medicare Advantage plan were free! "Wow!" Doug exclaimed. "I can have my cake and eat it too!"
If you have a Veteran pal, be sure to let them know they should explore all their options regarding VA and Medicare. Call us! We can help!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
Doug's story is a perfect example of something many veterans don't realize. A lot of people ask me, "Can I have both VA medical benefits and Medicare at the same time?" The answer is absolutely yes! The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services operate completely separate systems, so you can use both.
Here's what makes this even better in 2026: Medicare Advantage plans often include extras like vision, dental, hearing aids, and wellness programs that aren't part of standard VA care. Plus, many Medicare Part D prescription drug plans have $0 copays for common medications. When you combine VA care with Medicare, you get the best of both worlds. You can use the VA for routine care and specialists you trust, then have Medicare as backup for emergencies or when you're traveling outside your VA system's area.
The key is enrolling in Medicare Part A and Part B when you first become eligible at 65, even if you plan to keep using VA services. This prevents any late enrollment penalties down the road. A little preparation today can make a big difference tomorrow.