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An Overview of Veterans’ Benefits

Published: December 22, 2022

Many people do not understand what Veterans’ benefits fully include and who is eligible. The term ‘Veterans’ Benefits’ can be misleading, implying that only veterans of the armed forces are eligible. However, these benefits are not exclusive to those who have formerly served. Only a percentage of the people covered by these benefits are veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides resources and services not only to active and former service members but their spouses, widows, parents, and children.

The most talked about VA benefit is healthcare. However, that is only one of many services available to veterans and their families. Whether you are on active duty, a veteran, or an eligible family member, it is essential to be aware of the different benefits and resources offered.

There are many resources available. While we recommend speaking with a Veteran’s Attorney  who understands the benefits for war-time veterans and their families, it’s helpful to have some basic knowledge to put a list of questions together.

Healthcare

Healthcare and medical benefits are offered through the VA or Tricare. Tricare is a health insurance program with four different options available to retired and active-duty military personnel and their eligible family members. With an emphasis on preventative medicine and primary care, the VA provides free healthcare for those eligible. There are many services available, including mental health treatment, substance abuse and addiction treatment, prosthetics, glasses and hearing aids, medications, outpatient surgeries, home health services, hospice, and more.

Education

Both active service members and veterans are also eligible for many educational benefits. They may cover the cost of tuition, housing, and other education-related expenses. In addition, some programs, such as The Post- 9/11 GI Bill, allows service members to transfer benefits to a child or spouse.

Home Loan Programs

There are different types of VA home loan programs. These programs offer many benefits when taking out a mortgage or refinancing a home. In many cases, a down payment is not required. Funding fees may also be waived, and interest rates are more favorable.

Pension

The VA Pension Program is designed to provide monthly monetary compensation to war-time veterans that meet disability, income, and age requirements. For surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children, there is a Survivors Pension program that provides monthly payments to eligible individuals.

Memorials and Burials

For our fallen heroes, The Department of Veteran Affairs offers funeral services or burial in a national military cemetery, after which the gravesite will be perpetually maintained. Eligible veterans and surviving family members may also qualify for burial benefits. These benefits can help veterans and eligible loved ones pay for and plan a memorial or burial service in a VA national cemetery. 

Veterans’ benefits go well beyond healthcare and include eligible family members in addition to those who have served. These benefits ensure we care for our heroes and their families. Knowing the resources you have access to and qualifications for benefits is essential. A complete list of Veterans’ benefits can be found at benefits.va.gov.

We hope you found this article helpful. If you have questions or would like to discuss your legal matters, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 215-364-1111 to schedule a consultation.

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It can be quite confusing to determine which Medicare plan is best for you. There are several types of plans, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Understanding some basic features will help you decide how to maximize your healthcare dollars and choices. You should review your choice periodically, especially as elements of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 change prescription medication and vaccine policies. Coverage can also change from year to year..

There are three basic types of plans:

  1. Original Medicare
  2. Medicare Advantage
  3. Medigap

Original Medicare

Medicare is a government health insurance plan for people 65 and older. Original Medicare, sometimes called traditional Medicare, comes in several parts. Each part covers different things and has various associated costs. 

Most people do not pay for Part A as it was deducted from their taxes paid while working. It is primarily for hospital visits and nursing care. However, there are many fees associated with being in a hospital that Medicare does not cover, which you still might have to pay out of pocket.

Part B requires monthly premiums, which can be deducted from your social security. You can elect to enroll in part B through Original Medicare. It covers a portion of doctors' visits, durable medical goods, and more. 

Part D covers the cost of many prescription medications. You can add it to Original Medicare or purchase it as part of a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage is offered through private insurance companies that Medicare approves. Most plans include Parts A, B, and D of Original Medicare with some variations from the original. There are a wide variety of Medicare Advantage plans, including Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) or Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO). PPOs tend to have higher premiums and offer more choices than HMOs. Medicare Advantage HMOs and PPOs often have higher premiums than traditional Medicare because they usually cover more expenses, including prescription drug costs, vision, hearing, and dental.

However, the overall costs, premiums, plus out-of-pocket expenses for Advantage plans can be lower than Original Medicare because the private insurers manage patient care and limit choices. They assemble networks of hospitals and physicians to control their costs and reduce their customer's premiums. They also restrict access to certain providers and increase the cost of care obtained out-of-network.

Traditional Medicare allows people to seek care from any provider participating in Medicare, which includes virtually all hospitals and physicians.

Medigap

Medigap is a co-insurance or supplement to Original Medicare. You can enroll when you first enroll in Part B. It is also available through Medicaid, a union, or a former employer when you qualify for both programs. You can’t have both Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. Medigap helps cover expenses that Original Medicare does not cover, such as co-pays and deductibles. Due to the enrollment restrictions, you should strongly consider Medigap when you first become eligible.

The Right Choice for You

With all the different plans, parts, choices, and restrictions, it is crucial to consider your priorities for care. Limited access to doctors and hospitals may become important if you need specialized medical care, such as cancer treatment. Before enrolling, consider what specialty hospitals are included in Advantage plans. Likewise, Advantage plans can make it difficult to see a specialist for ongoing and chronic conditions due to limitations in long-term care services. An estate planning lawyer or elder law attorney can help address long-term care planning and the potential to qualify for Medicaid when necessary.

The Kaiser Family Foundation has put together a cost analysis to help you determine when Medicare Advantage would save you money. As you can see, the longer you stay in the hospital, the less advantageous an Advantage plan becomes.

Consumer Reports notes that the JAMA reported that seniors on Advantage plans often get more preventive care than those on traditional Medicare plans. JAMA published a comprehensive paper about how Medicare plan choice affects spending and discovered that Medicare Advantage enrollees usually spend less.

Consumer Reports notes that the JAMA reported that seniors on Advantage plans often get more preventive care than those on traditional Medicare plans. JAMA published a comprehensive paper about how Medicare plan choice affects spending and discovered that Medicare Advantage enrollees usually spend less.

A Guide in Choices after 65

Enrolling in the right Medicare coverage is one of many decisions that will affect your quality of life in your senior years. We are here to help you navigate a wide variety of choices.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your legal matters, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 215-364-1111 to schedule a consultation.

- Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and Traditional Medicare

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