Medicare Supplement
Also called Medigap
This fills in the gaps of Original Medicare by helping cover out-of-pocket costs like copays, coinsurance and deductibles. Plus, visit any doctor that takes Medicare.
Call 800-531-9164
For TTY devices, dial 711
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Get ready for Medicare.
Turning 65 soon? Medicare decisions can be confusing, but planning ahead can save you time and money. Our checklist can help you understand your enrollment options and important deadlines.
More choices for your coverage
You can get a Medicare Supplement plan directly from USAA.
For other needs, we work with valued partners through the USAA Life General Agency. This lets us offer Medicare Advantage, prescription drug, C-SNP, dental and vision plans. Having more choices makes it easier for you to find the right fit.
Plan availability varies by location, and partner carriers may not offer plans in all areas. Enter your ZIP code in the shopping experience to view the plans available in your area.
Understanding the basics of Medicare
What you need to know about Medicare
Video Duration: 3 minutes 11 seconds
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Understanding Medicare
Medicare can be difficult to navigate if you’re new to the program. Understanding a few basics can help you make the most of your benefits.
Medicare is the government health insurance plan for people 65 and older. It may also cover younger people with disabilities and people with end stage renal disease. It’s made up of 3 different parts. Part A is hospital insurance, Part B is medical insurance and Part D is prescription drug coverage. Original Medicare includes Part A and Part B.
There are also Medicare Advantage plans, known as Part C. They’re Medicare-approved plans that are offered by private insurers.
Let’s go over each part.
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Medicare Part A includes coverage for hospital, skilled nursing and hospice care. When you apply for Medicare, you’re automatically enrolled in Part A. Most people don’t pay a monthly premium, but it does have a deductible.
Medicare Part B helps cover outpatient services like doctor visits, vaccines and labs. It may also include home health care and medical equipment. Unlike Part A, Part B does include a monthly premium.
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Medicare Supplement Plans are also known as Medigap plans. They can help pay some of the costs for services that Medicare Part A and Part B cover. This can include things like deductibles and coinsurance. The amount you’ll pay depends on the policy you buy.
Part C: Elapsed time 1 minute 28 seconds [01:28]
Medicare Advantage plans, or Medicare Part C, are offered by private insurers who contract with the federal government. Part C plans bundle Part A and Part B and usually include Part D, prescription drug coverage. They may also include extra benefits, but check each plans details to learn more.
The cost of a Part C plan depends on what you choose, but it usually includes a monthly premium and deductible.
Not all doctors participate in Part C, so if you have a doctor or hospital you prefer, it’s important to know whether they participate in your plan.
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Medicare drug coverage plans are also known as Part D. They’re meant to help with the cost of prescription drugs. Part D is offered through private insurers, and they have premiums, out-of-pocket costs and can have annual deductibles.
Before enrolling in Part D, it’s important to understand how your prescriptions will be covered. Each plan also has its own formulary, which is the list of drugs they cover, so before selecting a plan it’s important to compare how your prescriptions are covered. USAA.com/pdp has a tool to help.
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Medicare can be complex. It’s important to do your research before enrolling. This includes knowing if your doctors and medicines are included in the plan you’re considering.
USAA believes that everyone should have the right coverage for their health care needs. We can help review your options and help you make the best decision for your needs.
You can schedule a call to speak with a licensed insurance agent or call us directly at 800-531-9164.
Description of visual information: [Health/Medicare solutions provided by USAA Life Insurance Company and through USAA Life General Agency, Inc. (LGA) (known in CA and NY as USAA Health and Life Insurance Agency), which acts as an agent for select insurance companies to provide products to USAA members. LGA receives compensation from those companies, which may be based on the total quantity and quality of insurance purchased through LGA. Plans are not available in all states. Each company has sole financial responsibility for its own products.] End of description
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Medicare FAQ
Standard coverage is the same nationwide because Medicare sets the levels for what’s covered by Part A and Part B.
But the additional coverage you can add from private insurers can vary by state.
You don’t have to sign up. But getting it now can help you avoid paying a penalty for Medicare Part B if you lose your VA health benefits and need Medicare later.
Medicare can also help if you need care outside of the VA system, like while you travel. Some plans could help cover costs that the VA won’t pay for.
If you add a prescription drug plan, you can also get medications from local pharmacies and the VA.
The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period, or IEP, lasts 7 months.
It includes the month you turn 65 plus the 3 months before and after.
For example, if your birthday is May 4, your IEP will be Feb. 1 through Aug. 31. If you sign up before your birthday, coverage starts the first day of your birthday month, so May 1.
If your birthday is on the first of the month, your IEP starts as if your birthday happened the month before. For example, if you turn 65 on May 1, your IEP is Jan. 1 through July 31. If you sign up during the first 3 months of the IEP in this example, your coverage would start the first day of the month before your birthday, so April 1.
You may be eligible for Medicare even earlier if you have a qualifying disability, end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
If you aren't eligible for Medicare based on age or for medical reasons, we can still help you with health insurance.
Some Medicare Advantage plans come with vision, hearing and dental coverage. You can also shop for stand-alone plans to complement the health insurance you choose.
We’ve partnered with leading insurance providers to offer vision coverage and dental plans. You can get these plans through us any time of the year.
Coverage usually starts immediately after enrollment. You can make changes once per year when it's time to renew or if you have a qualifying life event.