Other Coverage Options

Health Coverage that Complements
or Replaces Medicare

People should speak to their other health insurance providers before enrolling in Medicare. While Medicare can complement other health options, it might also compromise existing benefits.

Medicaid:

A joint federal and state government initiative for people with limited resources.

If you have Medicaid, you should sign up for Part B. Medicare will pay first, and Medicaid will pay second.

Medicaid may be able to help pay your Medicare out-of-pocket costs (like premiums, deductibles, co-insurances, and co-payments).

Group Health Plans:

Available through an employer or union. People may get these benefits through their own employer or union or a partner’s plan.

COBRA Continuation Coverage:

An extension of an employee plan after employment ends.

Indian Health Service Coverage:

Healthcare for American Indians and Alaskan Natives.

TRICARE:

If you have TRICARE (health care program for active-duty and retired service members and their families), you generally must enroll in Part A and Part B when you’re first eligible to keep your TRICARE coverage.

However, if you’re an active-duty service member or an active-duty family member, you don’t have to enroll in Part B to keep your TRICARE coverage.

For more information, contact TRICARE.

If you have CHAMPVA coverage, you must enroll in Part A and Part B to keep it. Call 1-800-733-8387 for more information about CHAMPVA.

Federal Black Lung program coverage:

Healthcare for people with black lung.