Retired and active-duty veterans are eligible for some of the best healthcare plans available, including Tricare and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of Veterans Affairs (ChampVA), which are highly popular choices. It is important to note that veterans enroll in ChampVA only when they do not qualify for a Tricare plan. To determine Tricare eligibility and explore specific plans, veterans can visit the Tricare website. Qualification requirements for ChampVA can be found on the ChampVA page of the VA website.
Luckily, as brokers, our primary focus is representing our clients and ensuring their well-being, rather than the bottom line of insurance companies.
Veterans are entitled to these healthcare programs, irrespective of whether they have reached the retirement age. However, once a veteran or their family member becomes eligible for Medicare, any Medicare plan they choose will serve as a supplement to their existing benefits. Therefore, it is crucial to understand veterans' healthcare needs and the reasons behind their enrollment in a plan outside of their military service benefits, in order to provide them with the most suitable plan. Shawn Shahpari emphasizes, "When it comes to health questions, it is important to approach these questions with sensitivity and empathy, as agents cannot ask probing questions that may give the impression of cherry-picking individuals based on their health. Luckily, as brokers, our primary focus is representing our clients and ensuring their well-being, rather than the bottom line of insurance companies. Optics matter, and these inquiries must be handled with tact."
Most plans offer free gym memberships to promote physical health and some offer Part B givebacks that put money directly into the beneficiary's pockets.
"There are several plans available that offer significant benefits to veterans without interfering with their existing military benefits. Given the substantial increase in used car and petrol prices, we are currently emphasizing benefits such as free transportation. Additionally, most plans offer free gym memberships to promote physical health and some offer Part B givebacks that put money directly into the beneficiary's pockets," says Shawn Shahpari, an agent representing multiple Medicare providers. "It is crucial to have an accurate understanding of the enrollee's financial and health circumstances to offer optimal advice. Therefore, it is essential to consult a knowledgeable broker who is well-versed in the range of available products and capable of conducting a thorough analysis before providing suggestions." It is important to note that all information shared is strictly confidential, and the beneficiary retains full control over the information they choose to disclose. "Building a relationship based on trust takes time. As a broker, my priority is to provide valuable information without any obligations attached. If I can be of further assistance to the beneficiary in the future, it is a rewarding outcome."
