[Rzepecki]

This is where you want to go for help and information. Call first for an appointment.

Sumter County Veteran Services | Sumter County, FL - Official Website

[sharonl7340]

The VA is a different entity from Tricare. There are no income requirements for Tricare, but the VA does have income requirements and again, Tricare is a SEPARATE entity from the VA.

Do you have documentation such as Military ID card(s) and documentation such as his DD214? I suggest you contact the Retirement Services Officer at Ft. Stewart, GA.

Without knowing your exact situation, it is hard to advise. My husband is retired military and can explain in more detail to your husband if you are interested. Please email me through this website and he may be able to explain some things to you and your husband regarding tricare and VA.

[Sully2023]

Call the VA service center in sumpter country located in the same building the DMV is off of Powell Road. Robert is one of the reps there and can probably answer your questions. Make an appointment. His number is: 352-689-4400.

[Black Beauty]

I was told in 2017 by the VA that I needed a VSO officer. He got me 50% disabled, of which 20% was for a disease I never had!

[nancyre]

Please check out the PACT ACT. The PACT Act And Your VA Benefits | Veterans Affairs This is a way to establish care if the Veteran is not disabled(service connected) during the time frames. If your husband was at Camp LeJuene -- you absolutely need to use the act to make this happen. Get a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to help you, the team at the Sumter County Veterans office are good.

[Marine1974]

Do retired military get free health insurance?
After you retire, but prior to your 65th birthday (or Medicare eligibility), you remain eligible for regular Tricare just like you had on active duty. These programs are: Tricare Prime: A health maintenance organization-type managed care program for which retirees are required to pay an annual enrollment fee.
Retired military should get insurance through tri-care same as when on active duty . Not VA healthcare .

[Annie66]

Just one amplification on Tricare to what has been discussed above. As stated above, Tricare is a secondary medical insurance, but for veterans under the age of 65. With Tricare, you pay a premium like other medical insurances.

For honorably discharged retirees with 20 or more years of service, "Tricare for Life" kicks in at age 65. It also is a secondary insurance. However, it is free and a spouse is eligible when he or she turns 65. I have Tricare for Life and it has covered all expenses for my bride and I including several major surgeries and co-pays. One caveat ..... if Medicare refuses coverage for a medical procedure, Tricare for Life will not cover it either.

The best advice as stated above is to make an appointment with a Veteran Service Office and get the straight skinny on the programs available. Hope this helps.

[petsetc]

In addition to income, the VA heath care eligibility is subject to an asset cap. Often this is the trick. I looked for what the current cap is but could not find it. As I recall, it does exclude the equity in your primary residence.

[MSGirl]

Originally Posted by Heartnsoul

That's why I'm confused? 25 plus yrs? He signed up during Vietnam but they didn't send him over. Marines few yrs then army NG 25 yrs and he can't go to VA?

If he served in the military and participated in a war, then he gets full benefits regardless of income. He was in the service for 30 years? When he retired he should have received a benefits pkg explaining everything. There is a VA in The Villages. Check with them for what he is or isn’t qualified for. And I thank him for his service.

[Number 10 GI]

OP, you and your spouse are covered under Tri-Care for Life and Medicare. You don't need to do anything with the VA, ignore the posts telling you to keep trying with them. You have already gotten their decision. The wife and I have Tri-Care for Life and Medicare and haven't had to pay a penny for our medical needs. As has been stated by other posters, if you have a military ID, that is your Tri-Care for Life medical card. Get with a military retired assistance office and become informed on your entitlements and rights.

[Dgodin]

RETIRED military are automatically eligible for tricare. Under 65, the member has to select a plan and enroll. My wife is 62 and pays $192 (approx) per year for Tricare select. The insurance is very good. I had tricare select until I reached 65, then my tricare automatically switched to TFL, tricare for Life, which has no premium payment. But TFL is a supplementary insurance and the member must enroll in Medicare as primary (A&B, or C) to receive TFL.

[Heartnsoul]

Thank u

[BlueStarAirlines]

Originally Posted by Black Beauty

I was told in 2017 by the VA that I needed a VSO officer. He got me 50% disabled, of which 20% was for a disease I never had!

Thats really frustrating. I'm in year 9 of my VA appeal to increase my disability for injuries received while in service. They acknowledge the disability and its service connection, yet have yet to determine percentages. Thankfully I got a lawyer but 9 years is a long time and there are currently 62,341 appeals ahead of me....down from 137,496.

I don't know if I'd be proud of that 20%......

[Sgt Ed]

Originally Posted by LuvtheVillages

Tri Care is the health insurance that Military services provides to their retirees. Since your husband served more than 20 years, he should qualify, and he can enroll you also.

TriCare will always be secondary to any other health insurance that you have. So if he has health insurance through his employment, that pays first, then TriCare picks up any balance remaining.

Is he on Medicare yet? Then Medicare pays first, and TriCare picks up any balance remaining. So you do not need a Medicare supplement or drug plan. All doctors around The Villages are happy to accept TriCare.

I'm not certain how it works now if he is too young for Medicare. When we were that age, the veteran was covered as of age 60, I paid a premium until 65. Might be different now.

Check with the military benefits office.

Once on Tricare, he can get hearing aids, dental care, and vision care if he goes to a military base. Jacksonville NAS or Tampa (McDill) are closest.

I beg your pardon. TRICARE does NOT cover hearing aides, or dental. They only cover what medicare cover. Medicare does cover 1 pr gasses annually, so tricare picks up its co pay.

[Donaz1]

I am in the same boat. Did not go to Vietnam, and make too much money in retirement. All I would be interested in are hearing aids being around jet engines in my military career.