Medicare Being Required To Add Part B To Service Connected Vets

[conla]

Is it true that now the Government and VA require service connected vets to pay for part B?

[MPsgt]

I'm extremely late to this rodeo but, I agree. A requirement for acceptance into ChampVA is pay for part B of medicare. I don't agree with this but, that's the way the ball bounces.

[Notorious Kelly]

Darn near impossible to find a doctor taking new medicare patients for some time now in several states I've been.

You can call dozens of docs - there is no website, so I'm taking another stab at VA care.

[georgiapapa]

My wife's primary insurance is BCBS federal and her secondary insurance is Champva. When she turns 65 next year she is required by Champva to sign up for Medicare part B. This seems crazy to me but we will do what we have to do. She is not going to cancel her BCBS coverage because she can not get it back once she cancels. You never know what the government may do n the future regarding Champva or Medicare.

[Pete53]

You don't have to get part b but you risk a penalty if you want it later.

[georgiapapa]

Pete,

It is my understanding that Champva now requires spouses to sign up for medicare part B when they turn 65 if they want to keep their Champva coverage. My wife does not want to lose her Champva coverage because it is the best insurance available.

[georgiapapa]

Pete,

I just checked the VA Champva website. According to the info on the website, my wife must sign up for medicare part B when she turns 65 in order to maintain her eligibility for Champva.