Idaho Veterans and Medicare
What you need to know
Attractive Medicare Advantage plans are available for Idaho veterans enrolled in Medicare.
Many of these plans have a $0 monthly premium. Some have ‘extra’ benefits not covered by the VA or Medicare. These can include dental coverage, gym memberships, OTC benefits, transportation to/from doctor appointments, help paying for your Part B monthly premium, etc.
If you are taking prescription med’s you can continue to get them filled through the VA. Veteran centric Medicare Advantage plans to not cover prescription drug coverage, however there are other Medicare Advantage plans targeted for ‘non-veterans’ which do. Depending on your needs, one of these plans may better suite your needs.
Get part of your monthly Part B premium back with certain plans.
In 2025 you can select a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage AND will offers a Part B ‘give back’ of over $100/month. This means your Part B monthly premium you are paying will be reduced by over $100 with this plan.
Should you get a Medicare Advantage plan which does not include prescription drug coverage and offers you a lower Part B ‘give back’?
We recommend you talk with us and we will point out the difference between your plan choices.
Availability of plans in your County can change annually.
Insurance companies decide which Idaho Counties they offer these plans and this can change from year to year. This means if an insurance company does not offer their ‘Veterans plan(s)’ in County A this year, they may choose to do so next year. Some insurance companies offer more than one plan (details can be different between plans). The details of these plans can change annually and this is the reason if a Veteran is currently enrolled in one of these plans, they should check next year’s offerings available in their County. This should be done between 10/15 and 12/7 as well as 1/1/ thru 3/31 each year. These are the ‘windows’ of time you can change plans.
Consider working with a broker that is licensed with all of these plans.
If you work with a broker specializing in Medicare, they can do this for you. Their services are $0 cost. Be aware brokers are compensated by any insurance company the veteran chooses to enroll with. The cost to the veteran is no different if they work with a broker or do it theirself.
If you want help screening your plan choices, call. I am a veteran and licensed with all of these plans in each Idaho County.
Other Information about VA resources and Medicare
Learn more about how VA health care works with Medicare and other health insurance here.
Learn the qualifications for all of the Veteran Health Insurance Priority Levels here.
The VA recommends veterans enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare enrollment rules are available here. Please take a few moments and read this material.
Enroll in Medicare when you are initially eligible
This means enrolling in Medicare Part A AND B.
Why do this? Because you want to avoid paying a monthly late enrollment penalty. These come into play if you miss your initial Medicare enrollment period. Learn about late enrollment penalties here.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older. Certain people pre-65 with disabilities are also eligible. These include those with permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant.
Medicaid is another government service that helps people get health care if they meet income and asset limits. Learn more about Medicaid here.
Social Security Disability is available to veterans that qualify. Learn more about this option here.
Retired Veterans not Medicare eligible
If you are a retired Military veteran that is not yet eligible for Medicare please take the time to review the information found here. That link points you to your TRICARE health care options. We encourage you to use these resources to help you navigate your way through your options.
Retired Idaho Veterans Eligible for Tri-care
Medicare-eligible retired Military veteran should read the information found here. This reviews what you need to know about Tri-Care for Life.
If you qualify for this coverage, we encourage you to get it. Tri-Care for life is Medicare wraparound coverage for TRICARE beneficiaries.
TRICARE Survivor Benefits
TRICARE provides benefits to eligible family members following the death of their sponsor. Learn more about eligibility, continuing medical, pharmacy, and dental benefits by reviewing the information found here.
VA Benefits for Others Who Served in the Active Military
Is your active military discharge status anything but ‘dishonorable’? If yes, VA health care benefits may be available to you. If you haven’t done so already, we encourage you to apply for your benefits. Learn how this is done by clicking here.
If you are Medicare eligible (or will be soon) we can guide you through the enrollment process.
Medicare Options for Idaho Veterans
You have a choice of staying with Original Medicare, adding a Medigap plan or enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you choose to enroll in one of these plans, you do not lose your VA privileges.
You can learn more about Idaho Medigap plans here.
Idaho Medicare Advantage plans are based on the County where you live. Find your County here to learn about your options.
The Medicare Advantage plan market changes annually. It is not unusual to see existing plans add new features as well as new plans become available. Having a coach to help with these decisions makes this process easier.
We are here to help Idaho Veterans enrolled in Medicare
I am a veteran, on Medicare and a licensed broker that specializes in Medicare for Idaho residents. If you want help understanding Medicare or your plan options call. I am here to help.
This page was last modified on