TRICARE and VA Work Together

March 17, 2010 - FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Service members who became ill or injured while serving on active duty and are then medically retired have health benefits available to them through both the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Like all retirees, medically-retired veterans can choose TRICARE Prime where it’s available, or TRICARE Standard and Extra if they are not eligible for Medicare. Their family members have the same TRICARE choices. Veterans who are eligible for Medicare because of disability must maintain Medicare Parts A and B to keep their TRICARE coverage.

Retirees with a service-connected disability rated at 50 percent or higher; are unemployable due to the service-connected disability; or are seeking care for the service-connected disability are automatically eligible but must request care from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Retirees eligible for VA health benefits along with their TRICARE retiree health care benefits can receive care from the VA or TRICARE. These retirees must apply for health benefits from the VA. Though there is an initial choice each time they seek care for a non-service related condition—VA or TRICARE—once treatment has begun, it must be completed using the same benefit. However, when seeking care for a service-related condition, they must use VA benefits.

Almost all VA health care facilities are part of the TRICARE network, however treatment of TRICARE beneficiaries is provided on a space and resource available basis only. When choosing to use their TRICARE benefit, retirees may be authorized to receive non-service related care at participating VA medical centers, a military treatment facility (MTF) or a TRICARE network provider. Representatives are available at VA facilities to assist veterans who are eligible for TRICARE and VA health care, and VA liaisons and benefit counselors are available at many MTFs to assist veterans transferring from Defense Department to VA care.

Veterans can learn about the different financial responsibilities for TRICARE-covered services and VA benefits by contacting their TRICARE regional contractor, or VA Health Benefits Service Center at 877-222-VETS. Regional contractor contact information can be found at www.tricare.mil/contactus.

There are many programs available through TRICARE, VA, the armed services and TRICARE’s regional contractors supporting veterans who became ill or were injured serving on active duty. Visit www.warriorcare.mil for more information about these resources.