A 100% service-connected disabled veteran receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs said he pays nothing for his medical care, dental, vision or prescriptions. So when he got his Medicare Part B card in the mail, he had questions: Could he keep his VA benefits? Would Medicare cover prescriptions the VA doesn’t? What about dental?<\/p>\n
The roughly 300,000 veterans who turn 65 each year may share his confusion. With\u00a0Medicare Part B premiums jumping<\/a> to $202.90 per month in 2026, understanding what you actually need matters.<\/p>\n Medicare and VA Don’t Work Together<\/p>\n Here’s the most important thing to understand: Medicare and VA benefits operate as separate systems that don’t coordinate. Before every doctor’s appointment, you choose which benefit to use.<\/p>\n VA coverage works only at VA facilities except under\u00a0certain circumstances<\/a>. Medicare works at any Medicare-certified facility, which includes nearly every civilian hospital and doctor’s office in America.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0See Your 2026 VA Disability Pay Rates<\/a><\/p>\n Should You Enroll?<\/p>\n Yes, even if you have VA coverage. The VA itself encourages veterans to sign up for Medicare when they turn 65.<\/p>\n Here’s what each part costs in 2026:<\/p>\n Part A (hospital):\u00a0Free for most veterans who worked 10-plus years. The deductible is $1,736 for hospital stays.Part B (doctor visits): $202.90 per month with a $283 annual deductible. The catch? If you skip Part B at 65 and enroll later, you pay a 10% penalty for every 12 months you delayed. That penalty is permanent.Part D (Prescriptions): Optional for veterans with VA coverage. VA prescription coverage counts as\u00a0\u201ccreditable\u201d under Medicare<\/a>, so you won’t face penalties for skipping Part D. Maximum out-of-pocket for 2026 is\u00a0$2,100<\/a>.Part C (Medicare Advantage):\u00a0Private plans that replace original Medicare. Most include prescription coverage plus dental, vision and hearing benefits.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0Here\u2019s How to Maximize VA Benefits Over Your Lifetime<\/a><\/p>\n The Prescription Drug Decision<\/p>\n You cannot use both VA and Medicare Part D for the same prescription but must pick one each time you fill.<\/p>\n If you’re 100% service-connected disabled and the VA covers everything, skip Part D. If you see civilian doctors who prescribe medications that the VA doesn’t stock, Part D makes sense.<\/p>\n “The VA mail-order pharmacy works great for me,” said a 100% disabled Marine Corps veteran. “Why would I pay $50 a month for Part D when the VA gives me everything free?”<\/p>\n Mental Health Coverage<\/p>\n Medicare Part B covers\u00a0outpatient mental health services<\/a>. You can see any psychiatrist or therapist who accepts Medicare without VA referral or approval.<\/p>\n “The wait for a psychiatrist at my VA was four months,” said a 50% disabled Marine Corps veteran. “I called a civilian psychiatrist who took Medicare. Got an appointment in two weeks.”<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0Tricare for Life is Medicare Wraparound Coverage<\/a><\/p>\n The Dental Problem<\/p>\n Original Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental care. No cleanings, no fillings, no crowns.<\/p>\n Your options:<\/p>\n Medicare Advantage plans: Most include some dental benefits, though coverage variesStandalone dental insurance:\u00a0Plans range from $25 to $100 per month, according to an estimate in U.S. News & World Report.VA dental program: 100% service-connected veterans often qualify for comprehensive VA dental benefits.<\/p>\n Check your eligibility at\u00a0va.gov\/dental<\/a>.<\/p>\n What to Do Now<\/p>\n Three months before turning 65:<\/p>\n Enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.Keep your VA benefits (Medicare doesn’t cancel them).Decide if you need Part D based on your prescriptions.<\/p>\n Key contacts:<\/p>\n Medicare: 1-800-633-4227 or medicare.govVA benefits: 1-800-827-1000 or va.govFree Medicare counseling: shiphelp.orgThe Bottom Line<\/p>\n You can and should have both Medicare and VA benefits. Keep VA for service-connected care, and use Medicare for civilian providers, especially if you live far from a VA facility.<\/p>\n The worst mistake is doing nothing. Missing your enrollment window means penalties that last the rest of your life.<\/p>\n If you’re confused, call your local veterans service officer. Their help is free.<\/p>\n Related:<\/p>\n Stay on Top of Your Veteran Benefits<\/p>\n Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by\u00a0subscribing to Military.com<\/a>, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with all latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n