I received a VA disability rating. Does this mean I get TRICARE? (2024)

FAQs

I received a VA disability rating. Does this mean I get TRICARE? ›

The VA and TRICARE are two different government programs. Getting a disability rating from the VA doesn't mean you get TRICARE. To learn about your VA benefits, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs page. Call the DMDC/DEERS Support Office to check your eligibility for TRICARE.

Simply being a disabled veteran doesn't necessarily qualify you for TRICARE. However, some veterans receiving VA disability may be eligible, and receiving veterans disability benefits won't disqualify you. You can choose whether to apply for or retain your coverage alongside your veterans benefits.

Yes, since 1995, all VA health care facilities have participated as TRICARE Network Providers. VA can provide care for Active Duty Service Members, military retirees, & family members under their TRICARE benefit - on a space available basis.

The monthly payment for disability compensation is available for Veterans with a disability rating of 10% or more. You may qualify for up to $4,000+ a month. Veterans with a disability rating of 10% or more also gain access to free or low-cost health care through VA.

Log in to milConnect. Click on the “Obtain proof of health coverage” button. Or click on Correspondence/Documentation and choose "Proof of Coverage." Your coverage letter will be generated and available for download.

TRICARE For Life (TFL) is a program that provides health coverage to all military retirees, their spouses, survivors and other qualified dependents. TFL: Has no premiums or copayments for Medicare-covered services other than the Part B Medicare premium.

It's still wise to enroll in Medicare Part B even if you are 100% service-connected disabled, as Part B can provide coverage at non-VA medical facilities and is required if you wish to enroll in TRICARE For Life.

Unfortunately, your spouse cannot receive your VA disability compensation after you die. However, they may get a monthly allowance if they qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. If you lived in government housing, VA might also allow them to stay in residence for up to a year.

To be eligible for schedular TDIU benefits, a veteran must have either: a single service-connected condition with a rating of at least 60 percent; or. (the 70/40 rule) at least two service-connected conditions with a combined rating of at least 70 percent, with at least one of the conditions rated 40 percent or higher.

TRICARE is the uniformed services health care program for active duty service members (ADSMs), active duty family members (ADFMs), National Guard and Reserve members and their family members, retirees and retiree family members, survivors, and certain former spouses worldwide.

Do you automatically get TRICARE? ›

You don't have to enroll to use TRICARE For Life—coverage is automatic as long as you are registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System and have Medicare Part A & B.

Active duty service members pay nothing out-of-pocket. Active duty family members pay nothing unless using the point-of-service option. All other beneficiaries pay annual enrollment fees and network copayments.

TRICARE and TRICARE for Life are types of health care coverage provided to certain military personnel and their families. These programs were formerly the Civilian Health and Medical Program of Uniformed Service (CHAMPUS). CHAMPVA is a Department of Veterans Affairs program.

CHAMPVA eligibility

To be eligible for CHAMPVA, you cannot be eligible for TRICARE, and you must be in one of these categories: The spouse or child of a Veteran who has been rated permanently and totally disabled for a service-connected disability by a VA regional office.

Simply having a VA disability rating does not prevent someone from joining the military. However, the underlying medical condition may prevent someone from medically qualifying to serve again. For example, you can receive a VA disability rating for knee surgery that you had while on active duty.