I’ll be turning 65 in April. I have full VA coverage and good hospital and doctor coverage through Eisenhower here in the desert. The VA doesn’t provide dental care. Do I still need to enroll in Medicare, and if so, which part makes sense for my situation?

Question

Lynn C Shurtleff · Accepted Answer

I always advise Veterans to pick up both A and B. Having Part B gives you options and choices outside the VA. I am a Vietnam Veterans widow and understand some of the challenges and limitations when using and dealing with the VA. I hear Vets complain about the Part B premium but there could be ways to minimize that cost depending on what is available in your area. If you delay your Part B, if you want to add it in the future you will have to pay a penalty so I never advise that because it could cost even more with the penalty.

Answered by Lynn C Shurtleff on August 24, 2025

Broker Licensed in TN, AR, CO & 6 other states

Answered by Lynn C Shurtleff Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Church · Answer

A question came in: I'm turning 65 in April. I have full VA coverage and a good hospital and doctor coverage through the VA here in the desert. Does the VA not cover dental care? Do I still need to enroll in Medicare? And if so, which makes sense for my situation?

Well, if you have full VA benefits, you don't necessarily need to enroll in Medicare, but you could be subject to a Medicare penalty for not enrolling in Medicare Part B if you need care outside the VA. You're pretty much going to be paying 100% for your care. So a recommendation would be that you always want to go ahead and enroll in Part B, but you don't have to get a drug plan because you have credible coverage through the VA.

As far as dental, I would recommend just purchasing an individual dental plan in your area. And again, if you work with a Medicare-licensed agent, they can guide you through your options when it comes to dental. But again, work with a licensed Medicare agent who can help navigate and help you understand what your options are.

Mike Alexander · Answer

You may want to consider an Ma only advantage plans, many of these work we.l with VA coverage, and some even give you a part b give back

Daniel Brechin · Answer

No, you don't.  However,   if you want to take out part B, you will be able to obtain a Medicare help plan.   Depending on what you have from and how long you were in the Military, and by the way, thank you for your service. God Bless.   

Medicare programs will give you many things you may not get now.   
Contact me and talk.  
Danny Brechin.

Terri Reagin · Answer

You can purchase a stand alone dental plan without enrolling in Medicare if you want to. If you wanted to make sure you always have the choice of private doctors and hospitals you could enroll in Medicare with an advantage plan with a "GIVEBACK" feature that would help you pay for the premiums on your Part B. Usually those plans also include dental. For all your options, you should contact a local agent.

Answered by Terri Reagin on October 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK, AR, CO & 6 other states

Answered by Terri Reagin Medicare Insurance Agent

Nick Mangini · Answer

If you want dental coverage then just get a real dental insurance plan.  You don't have to have Medicare if you don't want if you have VA.

Stella Hattox · Answer

It's best to enroll in Medicare to cover you while your traveling in area's that the VA may not be easily accessible. There are some plans that provide VA members additional coverage such as Dental and Vision at no extra cost and may even provide some reimbursement on your premium. It is a very valuable benefit and I have seen several VA members utilize their Medicare plan with relief that they had it.

Answered by Stella Hattox on June 2, 2026

Broker Licensed in TX, AR, AZ & 17 other states

Answered by Stella Hattox Medicare Insurance Agent

Sandra Bailey · Answer

If you’re a veteran & happy with your VA benefits, you could enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, Part C.  Some are zero dollars plus will include dental coverage.

Steve Adlman · Answer

I would recommend enrolling in Medicare Parts A and B. Part B will enable you to see doctors outside of the VA system if that becomes medically necessary. You can always enroll in a standalone individual dental plan that is separate from Medicare.

Answered by Steve Adlman on March 2, 2026

Broker Licensed in AL

Answered by Steve Adlman Medicare Insurance Agent

Enoch Vega · Answer

Yes, you should at least enroll in Medicare Part A since it’s usually free. The important part is whether you need Part B right away, which depends on if your Eisenhower coverage is considered creditable coverage. VA coverage alone is not enough to avoid Part B penalties later. Since VA dental is limited, many veterans just add a separate dental plan instead of changing all their medical coverage.

Answered by Enoch Vega on May 26, 2026

Broker Licensed in NV, AZ, CA & 6 other states

Answered by Enoch Vega Medicare Insurance Agent

Diana Garner · Answer

Yes, you should enroll in Medicare Parts A and B when you turn 65 to gain more healthcare options and avoid potential late enrollment penalties, even with VA coverage. 
     * Part A (hospital insurance) is often premium-free and complements your VA coverage for hospital stays.
     * Part B (medical insurance) covers doctors and outpatient services outside the VA system. 

Enrolling gives you the choice to use VA care or civilian providers, provides flexibility if VA benefits change, and allows you to add a Part D prescription plan for a wider network of pharmacies.

Steve Houchens · Answer

Yes you do need to enroll in Medicare. Depending on if you have Tricare or just VA benefits in general would depend on what type plan you need. Generally most Veterans do well with Medicare Advantage plan for veterans that don’t have drug plan attached to it so it doesn’t affect your VA drug benefits

Answered by Steve Houchens on September 17, 2025

Agent Licensed in KY & TN

Answered by Steve Houchens Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

You can always purchase a stand alone dental plan and not sign up for Medicare Part B which has a monthly premium associated with it. Part  A is premium free if you worked and paid taxes for 10 or more years. 
Your sec

Celeste McGrath · Answer

Great question. Yes, you will still need to enroll in Parts A & B of Medicare. If you would like to add Dental coverage, you can do so through a trusted agent/broker who can shop plan options for you. Many Medicare recipients opt for a Medicare Advantage plan that has Dental build into it with a zero dollar premium so no extra cost, and you get extra coverage.

Answered by Celeste McGrath on March 2, 2026

Broker Licensed in GA, FL, NC & SC

Answered by Celeste McGrath Medicare Insurance Agent

Rob Campbell · Answer

The VA provides coverage in eight different categories. Depending on if you have a service connected disability or meet certain means testing criteria, the VA may be a good option.

Cristie Wursten · Answer

You have 2 options, you can enroll in Medicare and get additional benefits with a Medicare Advantage plan, or purchase a dental policy.   Some dentists offer insurance through their office.  Find out what your dentist accepts. 
Cristie Wursten

Gary Henderson · Answer

Always enroll in Medicare part A. It's free and covers 80% of hospital care outside of the VA 
The VA only provides dental coverage for veterans that are 100% disabled 
All dental plans you buy individually are not related to Medicare. Anybody can buy them. I have some plans that are affordable. Give me a call and we'll find something for you 
And if somebody recommends Medicare advantage that forces you to sign up for part B and most Medicare advantage. Dental plans are extremely limited, so save your money. Just buy an individual dental plan. It'll be much less expensive and better coverage.

Mary Brown · Answer

With full VA coverage, you don’t have to enroll in Medicare at 65. Most veterans still take Part A (free hospital coverage) as backup. Part B is optional, you can skip it if VA care is enough, but delaying may lead to a penalty if you enroll later. Dental would need a separate plan either way.

Answered by Mary Brown on April 20, 2026

Broker Licensed in NJ, DE, FL & NC, OH, PA & TX

Answered by Mary Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Meghan Blankenship · Answer

Yes, it's usually a good idea to enroll in Medicare when you turn65 - even if you have full VA coverage and care through Eisenhower. Here's why: VA coverage is not guaranteed: It can change based on funding, priority groups, or your status. Medicare gives you flexibility: you can get outside the VA system - including civilian hospitals, specialist, and providers like Eisenhower. Avoid late penalties: If you don't enroll in Medicare Part B when first eligible and later decide you need it, you could face permanent premium penalties

Answered by Meghan Blankenship on November 15, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, MD & OH

Answered by Meghan Blankenship Medicare Insurance Agent

Marcie Barnes · Answer

If you want to have Medicare Part B, the cost is $206.50.  Many veteran-specific Medicare Advantage plans offer relates on the Part B premium as well as Dental, Vision, and other extra benefits.

You can use your VA coverage for everything, and use your Medicare coverage as backup and extra benefits not offered by VA.

Contact me, Marcie Barnes, to assist you with your enrollment

Albert Smith · Answer

Yes, my advice is to enroll in Medicare, Parts A and B. Part A is no cost if you have paid FICA taxes for 10 years or 40 calendar quarters, and Part B has a premium for the year 2026 of $203.90 monthly. My understanding is that VA healthcare is not considered a credible option, as determined by the Centers for Medicare Services. The VA Prescription plan is credible, and you don't need to select a prescription drug Plan. Also, you will need to purchase a dental/ vision plan if you only have original Medicare.

Answered by Albert Smith on December 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in IL, FL, GA & 6 other states

Answered by Albert Smith Medicare Insurance Agent

Lori Marion` · Answer

To answer this, I would have to ask more questions. If you are 100% disabled the VA covers dental as well. As long as you get any and all care through the VA, you may not need Medicare. But there are many reasons it could be beneficial to have as well. You may be able to get it with little or no out of pocket costs.

Answered by Lori Marion` on November 3, 2025

Agent Licensed in MS, AL, AR & 17 other states

Answered by Lori Marion` Medicare Insurance Agent

Krystal Hampton · Answer

I'll be turning 65 in April. I have full VA coverage and good hospital and doctor coverage through Eisenhower here in the desert. The VA doesn't provide dental care. Do I still need to enroll in Medicare? And if so, which part makes sense for my situation? Full disclosure, you don't have to enroll in Medicare if you don't want to, because you have full VA benefits. You can just go to the VA clinic and be a hospital for all of your services. But get this, if you were to travel anywhere outside of your hospital or your clinic, then you're going to be going into different clinics and different hospitals. And because you don't have Medicare, then you're subject to lots and lots of funds and bills that you have to pay. So it's really within your best interest to get Medicare, both Part A and Part B, and then get on what is called a Medicare Advantage Part B Giveback or Part B Buy Down option, which would lower the cost of that Part B down to where you won't necessarily have to be paying that much for your Part B. But yeah, to be honest, you don't need to be on Original Medicare. But if you're going to be traveling, doing any type of going back and forth in between your town and around the state, then yes, getting Original Medicare is more beneficial for you, as well as getting on a Part B Buy Down Medicare Advantage policy would be good for you. Now in regards to your dental care, the Medicare Advantage Part B Buy Down does include dental care. But you want to check to make sure which carrier and which policy has the benefit amounts that you would need to get that dental care. If it doesn't give you enough dental care, then given the fact that you're on a Part B Reduction policy, that's if you do get one, then you can get a standalone dental policy that better suits your dental needs. And I hope this helps.

Anniessa Anderson · Answer

Yes — I’d strongly encourage you to enroll in Medicare and choose a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan.

Since you already have excellent hospital and doctor coverage through the VA, the MA plan would mainly give you extra benefits the VA doesn’t cover — like dental, vision, hearing, gym memberships, and over-the-counter allowances.

You can keep your prescriptions through the VA (their pharmacy coverage is great and usually cheaper), and use your MA plan for everything else outside the VA system

Glenda Martin · Answer

Congratulations on approaching your 65th birthday! With VA coverage and additional hospital and doctor coverage through Eisenhower, you have a solid foundation for your healthcare needs. Since the VA doesn't provide dental care, you'll want to consider how Medicare can complement your existing coverage.

*Do you need to enroll in Medicare?*
While VA coverage is excellent, Medicare can help fill gaps, including potential out-of-pocket costs and additional benefits. Enrolling in Medicare can provide more comprehensive coverage and financial protection.

*Which part of Medicare makes sense for you?*
Consider the following:

- *Medicare Part A*: Covers hospital stays, which might overlap with your existing VA coverage. However, Part A typically has no premium if you've worked and paid Medicare taxes.
- *Medicare Part B*: Covers doctor services, outpatient care, and some preventive services. This might complement your existing coverage.
- *Medicare Part D*: Covers prescription medication. If you have medication costs not covered by the VA, Part D might be beneficial.
- *Medicare Advantage (Part C)*: Combines Part A and Part B coverage, often with additional benefits like dental, vision, or hearing. Some plans might offer dental coverage, which could be valuable given the VA's limitations.

*Key considerations:*

- *VA coverage and Medicare coordination*: Understand how your VA coverage and Medicare will work together. In some cases, Medicare may be the primary payer, while the VA coverage supplements it.
- *Out-of-pocket costs*: Consider potential costs associated with Medicare, such as premiums, deductibles, and copays.
- *Dental coverage*: If dental care is a priority, explore Medicare Advantage plans that offer dental benefits or consider standalone dental insurance.

*Next steps:*

- *schedule a consultation with me

Gary Coleshill · Answer

Penalty avoidance – The Part B late-enrollment penalty is permanent, so even if you don’t think you’ll need it now, enrolling at 65 keeps the door open without extra cost later.

Freedom of choice – VA care is excellent for many, but it’s tied to VA facilities. Medicare gives you access to a much wider network, which can be crucial if you want to see a specialist outside the VA system or if you’re traveling.

Safety net – Life changes — you might move, your preferred VA clinic could get busier, or you might need urgent care while away from home. Medicare fills those gaps.

Smart coordination – You can strategically use VA for certain services (like prescriptions) and Medicare for others (like local specialists), often lowering your out-of-pocket costs.

Regarding Dental, Medicare generally doesn’t cover routine dental. You’d need a standalone dental plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental benefits.

Soledad Ramirez · Answer

It depends if you have Tricare for Life.
If not, then yes you should enroll into Medicare, many supplemental plans will have some dental coverage.  You are free to contact me for more detailed information,  thank you, Soledad Ramirez

Randy Sanchez · Answer

Having Full VA Benefits gives you a couple of options, and when you turn 65 you typically will start Medicare automatically if you have met your working hour qualifier over the years. The is whether you need to take out Medicare Part B which comes with a monthly premium. If you 100% use VA benefits for medical and prescriptions you decide to not accept Medicare part B, and avoid the monthly fee since VA coverage is considered credible coverage and you avoid paying a Medicare penalty. 

If you would like to have the flexibility to use medical facilities outside of the VA and / or to be able to use local pharmacies for prescriptions then taking out Medicare Part B might be a good way to go. 

Regarding Dental, you have options to get a stand a lone dental plan that you pay a monthly premium for or you can get the dental coverage through some of the Medicare plans, for example, a Medicare Advantage plan. 

Lastly, regarding Eisenhower coverage. If that is a plan that you pay for you may not need it with a Medicare plan of coverage. If it is not a plan of coverage you pay for to have medical coverage then you may want to consider that you may not be able to use that facility for medical care otters than for emergencies with VA. 

Thank you

Jessica Yen Le · Answer

First, thank you so much for your service. Since you’re turning 65, here’s how Medicare works with your VA and Eisenhower coverage:

- Part A is free, so it makes sense to enroll. Part B is $185 a month in 2025, VA only covers you in the VA system, so Part B gives you access to doctors and hospitals outside . If you wait to enroll later, Medicare may add a lifetime penalty. You don’t need Part D because your VA drug coverage is already creditable. For dental, some part C plans (including part A+B+ additional benefits) offers really great additional benefits, and you can also get the separate dental coverage for bigger coverage and network.
So bottom line: take Part A, think carefully about Part B for flexibility outside the VA (secondary professional opinion consideration), skip Part D, and consider a dental plan if you’d like coverage there.
Please be careful when choosing your Medicare coverage, we both don't want you to get into any disadvantage situation or financial risk due to medical bill. Hope this answer helps.
Jessica Yen Le

Rick Valente · Answer

When you say you have "full VA coverage" if you mean you have "Tri-Care", you do NOT want to give that up for Medicare.

Most dental insurance isn't worth the paper it's written on, even in Medicare policies. My advice would be, Google dental insurance and do a little reading on your own to determine what the best policy would be for you.