VA
Medicare generally does not pay for care at a VA facility. VA coverage does not replace Part B for non-VA doctors and hospitals. Many veterans keep both: VA for VA care, Medicare for civilian providers. Skipping Part B because you use the VA can mean a penalty later if you need a community doctor.
TRICARE for Life
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 (or a family member on active duty) can work differently — TRICARE is often first. Confirm with TRICARE, not with a friend’s story.
FEHB while you are still working
If you or a spouse is a current federal employee and the employer is large enough, FEHB is often primary and Medicare is secondary. That is similar to other large-employer coverage. Get the coordination rule in writing from the benefits office before you delay Part B.
FEHB as a retiree
As a federal retiree, Medicare is usually primary and FEHB is secondary. Keeping Part B is a common path. It is not automatic. The premium, your FEHB brochure, and your income all matter. FEHB and Medicare for federal retirees walks through Part A, Part B, and why people suspend FEHB instead of canceling it.
Print the checklist
The VA / TRICARE / FEHB worksheet is a list to take to the benefits office or VA. This website does not decide who pays first.
Common questions
Choose a question. The answer stays until you press Back or Next.
If I have VA, do I still need Part B?
VA care and Medicare are not the same. Many veterans keep Part B for non-VA doctors. Confirm with VA and Social Security before you skip it.
Does TRICARE for Life work without Part B?
Generally no. TRICARE for Life is built to pay after Medicare. Ask TRICARE before you drop Part B.
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.
Worksheet
VA, TRICARE, or FEHB — who pays first?
A checklist, not a payment decision. Medicare, VA, TRICARE for Life, and FEHB stack differently.