Champva And Medicare Part D

[Pete53]

I had a nice chat with ChampVA CSR today and was told and would like to see it verified that ChampVA beneficiaries are better off not selecting Medicare Part D and that Medicare will not place a penalty if they change their minds later. Anyone know anything about this?

[john999]

Pete

I read in the AARP newspaper that vets have better drug coverage than medicare would provide. Providers are supposed to send a letter to members of health insurance companies. I have blue cross and I am supposed to get a letter by the middle of November to state my coverage is better than medicare. I don't see why champva should not send such a letter as well. Champva coverage must be better than the proposed medicare plan since the medicare plan has big holes in it. Maybe ask them to send you such a letter. Perhaps I will call them myself regarding my wife and see what champva has to say. I wonder if we will get a letter from the VA regarding this matter to avoid a penalty should we decide to get the medicare drug benefit later.

[Pete53]

John:

They told me that they had already sent a letter but we have not seen it yet.

However, my Medicare HMO informs me that I was automatically enrolled by them?

Edited November 9, 2005 by Pete53

[Guest phubai70]

? I am a 100% P/T Vet and all I have other than the VA clinic

is medicare part A. Figured that was enough...or am I missing

something? Only knew about Parts A and B and declined part B.

Hope I haven't made a big OOPS>

[john999]

Pete

I have not seen any such letter either. Phubia, I took Part B because it works well with my BC/BS. Part B is pretty expensive but it might be worth it if you go outside the VA system.