Understanding how TRICARE and VA health coverage work with Medicare can help you maximize your health benefits while avoiding unnecessary costs. Each of these programs has its own rules, but knowing how they interact is crucial, especially if you’re eligible for both or considering enrolling in Medicare.


To help you navigate these options and find the best plan for your needs, we’ve teamed up with Chapter to provide personalized, 1-1 guidance.


What is TRICARE?

TRICARE is a healthcare program for active-duty and retired uniformed service members and their families. If you have TRICARE, it acts as a supplement to your Medicare coverage. When you turn 65, you generally need to enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) to keep your TRICARE benefits. Medicare becomes your primary payer, and TRICARE acts as secondary insurance, covering costs that Medicare does not, such as co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles. Having both TRICARE and Medicare can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. More details on how TRICARE works with Medicare can be found on the TRICARE website.

How TRICARE Works with Medicare

When you have both TRICARE and Medicare, it’s important to note how they coordinate benefits:

  • Primary and Secondary Payers: Medicare pays first, and TRICARE pays second. This setup means that after Medicare processes your claim, TRICARE steps in to cover any remaining eligible costs, including services that Medicare might not fully cover, such as prescription drugs or certain outpatient care.
  • Enrollment Requirements: To maintain your TRICARE benefits after turning 65, you must enroll in both Medicare Part A and Part B. Failure to enroll can result in losing your TRICARE coverage.
  • TRICARE for Life: TRICARE for Life (TFL) is a supplemental plan for TRICARE beneficiaries eligible for Medicare. TFL pays for costs not covered by Medicare, such as co-payments and deductibles, making it a valuable resource for military retirees. TRICARE for Life coverage is automatic if you have Medicare Part A and B, and no separate enrollment is required. For more information, see TRICARE for Life.

What is VA Health Coverage?

VA (Veterans Affairs) health coverage is a benefit provided to veterans. VA health care is separate from Medicare, and the two do not coordinate benefits. This means you need to be strategic about how you use them. If you have both VA health care and Medicare, you have options for where to receive care, but you must understand which coverage is active depending on where you go.

How VA Health Coverage Works with Medicare

VA health coverage and Medicare work independently, but understanding how to use them together can help you maximize your benefits:

  • Choosing Where to Receive Care: If you use VA facilities, your VA coverage will pay for the services you receive. Medicare generally does not pay for services at VA facilities. Conversely, if you go to a non-VA hospital or doctor, Medicare will be your primary coverage, and VA benefits won’t apply.
  • Prescription Drug Coverage: VA health care provides prescription drug coverage, but it only applies when using VA pharmacies or facilities. Medicare Part D, which is the prescription drug coverage component of Medicare, can be beneficial if you use non-VA pharmacies.
  • Using Both Coverages: You can use both VA health care and Medicare, but not for the same service. For example, you can receive care at a VA facility for one condition and use Medicare for care from a non-VA provider for another condition. This flexibility allows you to choose the most convenient or cost-effective option.


To help you navigate these options and find the best plan for your needs, we’ve teamed up with Chapter to provide personalized, 1-1 guidance.


Making the Most of Your Benefits

To ensure you’re getting the most out of TRICARE, VA health care, and Medicare:

  • Stay Enrolled: Ensure you’re enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B if you want to maintain TRICARE benefits.
  • Plan Your Care: Decide which healthcare provider or facility best suits your needs, whether it’s a VA hospital or a non-VA provider, depending on your situation.
  • Consider Costs: Understand that TRICARE for Life can help reduce costs if you need care outside the VA system, while VA benefits can provide significant savings when using VA facilities.

To learn more about how to maximize your TRICARE, VA health care, and Medicare benefits, consider enrolling in one of our Medicare-related classes on GetSetUp. Our classes are designed to help you navigate the complexities of health coverage and make informed decisions about your care.

Reviewed By: Keith Gilbert