As a military veteran with veterans’ benefits, you may be eligible to receive medical care through both Medicare and the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system. Typically, these two entities do not cover the expenses for the same medical service or equipment. Medicare is responsible for covering the costs of services and items that fall under Medicare coverage. Conversely, the VA finances those services and items that it has approved. Whenever you seek healthcare or consult with a medical professional, you will need to decide which benefit to utilize.
To have the VA cover your medical expenses, you must either visit a VA healthcare facility or obtain VA approval for services at a non-VA facility.
Should you be admitted to a non-VA hospital with VA approval and receive services not authorized by the VA during your stay, Medicare might cover the costs for the Medicare-eligible services that the VA did not approve.
