Can a vet survive on VA insurance

[Hogmauler]

Did four years active and two years reserve status from 1974-1980. Since that time I’ve been employed and been covered in one way shape or form.
After retirement I stayed on my wife’s insurance and had Medicare and VA.
I got my first Medicare payout statement and found that they had payed for a pair of shots that I had in my knees because my wife’s insurance didn’t pick it up.
So I wrote a letter to Medicare stating that I was dropping my part B. Btw, in that same payout letter was a notice of premium increase. I put that money towards helping my wife pay to keep me on her insurance. Full stop.
Years ago I started getting letters from the VA regarding the arsenic tainted water I had be drinking at Camp LeJeune for my last two years there and that they would be covering the cost of treatment for 26 types of cancer that folks had developed from the water. Thank the Lord that as far as I know I don’t have any form of cancer.
What exactly does VA insurance cover? Will it cover hospital expenses for car wrecks, catastrophic injuries etc? Asking for all the vets here

[BlessedVeteran0305]

VA will cover 100% of everything that has to do with your rating that ties you to the VA. If you were to get in a wreck they won't cover it. I would call tricare and see if you qualify to use their insurance.

[Hogmauler]

Gotcha. I think Tri care is for military retirees or service related injuries? I’m 10 percent and got that for being in a Tank battalions for my last two years.

[muzzlebrake]

I'm 90% DAV and the Va covers everything but dental. I also have medicare part A and B for use when I have to go to emergency rooms and to my local cardiologist. Also if I call the VA to make an appointment sometimes they will refer me to a local clinic and cover that cost 100%. Part of my disability came from Agent Orange exposure and the maladies it has caused.
Follow up on the VA stuff.

[BLee15]

My grandpa is 100% disabled vet and only goes to the VA. Based on what he tells me it’s a major PITA to go. He said they will let you die but it’s “free” at least if you risked your life for our country.

[BlessedVeteran0305]

I would definitely get an appointment with your VA and make sure you do not have anything going from that water issue.

[friscopaint]

our local VA clinic in Sherman is good, matter of fact a buddy in Whitesboro was dissapointed the doctor he used and liked went there. It's a VA contract facility and they wanted me to get an ultrasound but said I had to go to VA hospital in Bonham but then VA contacted me that due to distance I could use the local clinic.....my nephew is happy with his VA insurance but he's also young and doesn't need much. Given the choice I will stay with medicare as primary and VA as secondary, prescriptions are free if the VA has them which some they don't cover such as Eliquis because it's not generic yet.....

[Hogmauler]

I would definitely get an appointment with your VA and make sure you do not have anything going from that water issue.

I contacted a friend of mine that is literally a mega mega attorney in Houston. Like, works for the Bush,es type of attorney. Anyway I said to him, “So I’m suing for what may happen to me”. “Exactly You drank the water and you don’t know what’s gonna happen. So yes get involved in the suit”. So I did we an attorney he recommended here in Houston. Attorney told me after he files they will deny it and require attorney to fight for their client which makes sense to me. Said I may hear from him in two years. Lmao!

[BlessedVeteran0305]

I contacted a friend of mine that is literally a mega mega attorney in Houston. Like, works for the Bush,es type of attorney. Anyway I said to him, “So I’m suing for what may happen to me”. “Exactly You drank the water and you don’t know what’s gonna happen. So yes get involved in the suit”. So I did we an attorney he recommended here in Houston. Attorney told me after he files they will deny it and require attorney to fight for their client which makes sense to me. Said I may hear from him in two years. Lmao!

Yeah I'm not surprised I did the same thing for the 3M lawsuit. It has been over 2 years because 3M tried to file bankruptcy and the judge wouldn't let them. Told them they were going to be held accountable. So we still wait.

[Johnny44]

No, you can’t survive with a 10% rating

[Johnny44]

My grandpa is 100% disabled vet and only goes to the VA. Based on what he tells me it’s a major PITA to go. He said they will let you die but it’s “free” at least if you risked your life for our country.

You have to be proactive and you need to have a couple of advocates like a wife and son who are bulldogs.

[Lost10mm]

Even when I was 60%, the VA has taken care of everything except dental. ER trips, urgent care trips, and as of late - allergy clinic visits. I'm 90% now and don't see any difference in care.

But I agree....use the VA at your own risk.

[easeup]

not a vet but after listening to all my friends who are and on VA, it doesnt seem wise to drop the medicare a/B

[Hogmauler]

Still on wife as primary so I am covered

[DaveC]

VA will cover 100% of everything that has to do with your rating that ties you to the VA. If you were to get in a wreck they won't cover it.

Interesting, I never knew that.

Other vets and my audiologist were telling me to go through the VA for hearing aids. I paid out of pocket, VA Hospital/docs = sounds like a PIA to me.
But I've never tried to use them for anything.

I'll probably just go COSTCO next time.
Time will tell.