They are not interchangeable
Medicare is federal health insurance, mainly for people 65 or older and certain people with disabilities. Other programs may pay with it, after it, or instead of it for some services. Guessing from a friend’s story is how people skip Part B or drop coverage they still need.
Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid)
Medi-Cal is based mainly on income, resources, and California rules. Some people have Medicare and Medi-Cal together (often called dual eligible). That can mean help with Medicare costs, and in some ZIP codes Dual Special Needs Plans. Having Medicare does not automatically mean you have Medi-Cal.
VA
Medicare generally does not pay for care at a VA facility. VA coverage does not replace Part B for civilian doctors and hospitals. Many veterans keep both. Skipping Part B because you use the VA can mean a late-enrollment penalty if you later need a community doctor.
TRICARE
TRICARE for Life generally requires Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare pays first on covered services; TRICARE pays second. Do not drop Part B to save the premium without asking TRICARE. Active-duty TRICARE can work differently.
Read the details that match you
Use the Medi-Cal article if costs or dual eligibility are the question. Use the VA / TRICARE / FEHB article if military, veteran, or federal employee coverage is in the mix. Print the matching worksheet. Confirm with the official program — this website cannot say who pays first on a claim.
Common questions
Choose a question. The answer stays until you press Back or Next.
Can I use one article for all three?
This overview is the map. Medi-Cal and VA/TRICARE follow different rules. Open the article that matches the coverage you actually have.
Does this say I qualify for Medi-Cal or Extra Help?
No. Eligibility is official — California Medi-Cal programs and Social Security. Screeners on this site are sketches only.
My Medicare Checkup
Answer a few questions about your ZIP code, what matters about cost and doctors, and where you get care. The summary shows the questions those answers raise. Confirm each one on Medicare.gov, with the plan, and with the doctor’s office.
Start My Medicare CheckupYou will get a summary of the questions to verify. You can also talk it through with Alan.
Screener
Medi-Cal screener (65+ / disabled)
California 2026 Aged & Disabled sketch for people with Medicare. Apply through the county.
Worksheet
VA, TRICARE, or FEHB — who pays first?
A checklist, not a payment decision. Medicare, VA, TRICARE for Life, and FEHB stack differently.