Is the VA Health Care Benefit Creditable Coverage?
Continuous enrollment in the VA health care system provides you with “creditable coverage” needed for certain purposes. First, VA health care is creditable coverage as defined for the purposes of the Medicare prescription drug program (“Medicare Part D”). Second, VA health care is creditable coverage for purposes of portability under Title 1 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Examples of portability would include enrolling in a new private health insurance plan or a plan offered by a new employer. It would also be useful for individuals residing in some states where universal health coverage is required, such as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which required residents to show proof of creditable coverage when filing state tax returns in 2008. There is one significant area in which VA health care is NOT creditable coverage: Medicare Part B (outpatient health care, including doctors fees). Creditable coverage for Medicare Part B can only be prov
Related Questions
- If a veteran signs up for Medicare prescription drug coverage, will the premium and copays be a deductible medical expense for VAs health care means test purposes?
- Can you describe the optional health care coverage that is offered under the STRS Ohio Defined Benefit and Combined Plans?
- Is the VA Health Care Benefit Creditable Coverage?
