Any Retirees Use VA Medical? (payments, husband, wife, insurance)
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yes because you can still work if you are rated. They even gives vets points for that
You can be 100% disabled via the VA and still work.
Now there is a rating that starts at 60% and they decide you are unemployable so bump you to 100% - but you are not supposed to work.
Hope I got that right. Let me know if i did not.
Partially correct. Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is a granted based on a single service connected disability of at least 60% or a combination of SC disabilities combined at a rating of 70% with at least one disability rated at 40%. If these combinations prevent a veteran from gainful employment, TDIU may be granted. There are some very real nuances to gainful employment.
The VA automatically queries IRS to verify if a TDIU veteran is receiving income from employment and will remove the rating if they discover the veteran is working. The premise of the rating is based on the veteran's contention that the inability to work is DIRECTLY caused by service connected disabilities. To work after signing forms stating you cannot work is fraud and the VA is attenuated to such.
I was an accredited VSO. VSO services are free by law--I encourage any veteran seeking advice on VA benefits to meet with a VSO.
FWIW. Retired Army, Service Connected Disabilities, Enrolled in TriCare, use VA healthcare.
Last edited by WVREDLEG; 03-11-2021 at 08:13 AM..
Reason: Add
I was in the USAF for 8 years and signed up for VA medical a couple of years ago.
No disability rating etc.. when I got it.
Was told in '79 before enlisting that "You will always have free health care when you get out!". That was not the case of course unless you were retired or disabled.
The VA used to go by net assets to see if a vet would qualify- a few years ago they did away with that and they go by yearly income now. If you make less than $35K/year you ARE eligible for VA healthcare.
With a million+ or so in assets I definitely did not qualify before and I do make more than $35K/year. I signed up for the healthcare just to have it in case I get laid off or want to retire early. My main health insurance is through my job now but it is nice to know the VA will be there if I need it eventually- even with a lot of assets.
I was medically retired at the ripe old age of 26 with a 70% service-connected disability-complete with a pension. I entered into the V.A. system then. I wasn't married then. They have since upped my rating to 100% disabled. When I got married, I was able to enroll in Cigna from Hubby's work. He is now retired. He is enrolled in Tricare and also gets Medicare. So both of us are pretty much covered-what one plan won't cover, another one will.
I tried to sign up last year knowing I was retiring in December and just wanted options for medical in retirement. We will move and have to go to a PPO till I hit 65. The PPO is on the expensive side as far as co-pays and deductible. The VA said I make too much money and they denied my application.
I thought I earned it by being a veteran? Between active, reserves and IRR, I have 12 years and an honorable discharge.
...However, to qualify you must be a combat veteran not just a combat era veteran. Check your DD-214 block 24, your campaign medal or service medal should be listed. This is the proof you need to qualify for priority group 6. You must be able to prove that you had "boots on the ground" in a combat zone.
The DD-214 form has changed over time. My block 24 is headed "Disability Severance Pay" with boxes to check "yes" or "no", and a line under stating "Amount_________". Two other adult volunteers in my Sea Cadet battalion are also veterans and their block 24 is headed "Character of Service" where they put "Honorable", (or other types, as appropriate).
Everybody who went to Vietnam received the campaign and service medal, (subject to time requirements to be "in theater"). Does that mean that everybody who went to Vietnam is eligible for VA medical, even if they never saw combat? I would think not. That is a lot of people! At least my DD-214 shows that I received the Navy Combat Action Ribbon.
My ship also qualifies as being exposed to Agent Orange. Even though I am diabetic, (one of the 'results' of Agent Orange), I'm not going to make the VA take care of that because I inherited it from my parents. AO had nothing to do with me being diabetic.
I don't pay income taxes. I did up until 1983, but not since then.
When I was on Active Duty most of the time I was exempted due to combat. Now that I am on pension I am not wealthy enough to be eligible to pay income taxes, just like 47% of US citizens.
I was an accredited VSO. VSO services are free by law--I encourage any veteran seeking advice on VA benefits to meet with a VSO.
So it looks like things have change over the years.
Vets. don't hesitate just contact your local VA office and apply
meet with a VSO as suggested by WVREDLEG.
If you disagree with your determination you can appeal
Anyhow
Yes I use VA healthcare and in my opinion/situation it's great
$8 copay on all meds
$15 copay Office visits
$50 copay specialist
$1800 max for 180 day hospital stay plus $10 a day
$97/day for extended care(nursing home)
To all my brothers, Welcome home
Last edited by lathemanjack; 03-11-2021 at 11:36 PM..
My VA healthcare experience so far, I retired from the military in 2013. I am enrolled and pay about $50/month for Tricare Prime coverage for my wife and that coverage includes me as well.
I registered in the VA healthcare system and per their recommendation had a well visit to "establish care". Also recommended was to have a well visit every 2 years to update my health conditions, treatments meds etc.
When I called for my next 2 year appointment I was told (strongly encouraged) to just continue to use my Tricare primary care provider and no visits were necessary to stay in the VA system.
Supposedly my Tricare physician can make referrals to the VA if necessary.
In a couple of years I'll be eligible for Medicare and it will become my primary with Tricare as my secondary.
per previous posts I'll also recommend finding a local VSO (Veteran Service Officer) for questions and help with VA benefits. I utilized them to help with filing a disability claim.
Has anyone received a check from the Treasury, in regards to reimbursement of copays paid to the VA? I received one today for $24. Evidently there are no copays being charged until Sep 30th.
Has anyone received a check from the Treasury, in regards to reimbursement of copays paid to the VA? I received one today for $24. Evidently there are no copays being charged until Sep 30th.
This is true. I got a couple of 8$ checks. My wife got a 24$ one. They were from copays of prescriptions from some point over the last year or so.
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