Editor’s Note: After a long career in the data processing industry, Russell Gloor joined the Association of Mature American Citizens in 2013. Gloor received training from the National Social Security Association and was accredited by the NSSA® as a Social Security adviser in 2016. Currently part of the AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory team, he annually counsels thousands of American seniors about their Social Security options. In addition to answering Social Security questions daily, he also authors the AMAC Foundation’s nationally syndicated weekly “Ask Rusty” advice column and has written three Social Security instructional books about Social Security.

Dear Rusty:

In your answer to the retired U.S. Navy veteran about why he is forced to enroll in Medicare, you focused on military TriCare’s requirement for the member to enroll in Medicare. But you said nothing about regular Veterans Administration health care. If a non-career veteran is eligible for Veterans Administration health care, couldn’t that be used in place of Medicare? Signed: Veteran Advocate

Dear Veteran Advocate:

Thank you for your feedback. For your information, I have previously explained numerous times that veterans who rely on the Veterans Administration for 100% of their healthcare can, indeed, disenroll from Medicare Part B (thus saving the monthly Part B premium). I don’t personally recommend it because of my personal experience, but it certainly is possible to do so.

Personally, I use the Veterans Administration for some of my healthcare needs - usually an annual checkup and optometry services - at my local Veterans Administration clinic which is only a mile away from where I live. But for any extensive treatment needs (medical tests, etc.) I must travel about 40 miles to the nearest Veterans Administration hospital facility.

For contrast, I have numerous private healthcare services, specialists and hospitals very near where I live, but to use them under the Veterans Administration I must get Veterans Administration pre-approval and use only certain Veterans Administration-approved providers, which is inconvenient for me. Personally, I prefer the freedom to go to any healthcare service provider I choose, without restriction, at any time I need to. So, I use my Veterans Administration coverage when it is convenient for me but rely also on non-Veterans Administration, Medicare-approved specialists who I can choose to use (or not) at will. For me, it’s a matter of convenience and the freedom to use whichever healthcare provider I want. That said, I fully understand some veterans rely exclusively on the Veterans Administration for their healthcare needs, and I have explained to many who have written to me they have that option. I have also published several public articles about this as well. Here is one such article: https://socialsecurityreport.org/ask-rusty-why-should-a-veteran-pay-for-medicare/

So, please rest assured we regularly advise our veterans about their healthcare options under Medicare, including the ability to decline Medicare Part B coverage if they have full Veterans Administration healthcare coverage. Free Medicare Part A (inpatient hospitalization coverage) is mandatory to collect Social Security after age 65, but Medicare Part B coverage is always optional because there is a premium associated with Part B.

A veteran can decline Medicare Part B coverage and save that monthly premium, but they would need to contact Social Security to do so. Social Security will want to interview the veteran to ensure they are aware of the potential financial consequences of not having Medicare Part B. And they may need to file form CMS-1763 (Request for Termination) But a non-career veteran can opt out of Medicare Part B if they get all of their healthcare services through the Veterans Administration.

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association. NSSA® and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit their website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.