6. Why would someone want to have a Medicare Advantage plan in addition to VA coverage and a supplemental plan? Is this what we call having "too much" coverage?

a.) Reasons to have Part D AND VA: There are several reasons why an individual with VA drug coverage may want to think about enrolling in a Part D plan. For example, the formulary for VA drug coverage might not offer all of the medications that the individual needs. Perhaps the location of the VA facility is not convenient for the individual and the mail-order system does not meet her needs for urgent medications. For more information about how the VA will coordinate with Medicare Part D plans, see CMS' VA Fact Sheet.

b.) About Medicare Advantage, Medigap  and VA: Medicare Advantage Plans with Prescription Drug Coverage (MA-PDs) offer Medicare Part A (hospital), Part B (physician), and Part D (prescription drugs) benefits through one, coordinated plan. Cost sharing is often lower than in Originial Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans often offer enrollees additional benefits not covered by Medicare. Typical examples of additional benefits offered by MA plans include vision care, dental care, or lower cost sharing. (More information about Medicare Advantage is available from Medicare's Choices web page.) 

Generally, someone in an MA plan would have no need for a Medigap plan, since the MA plan coverage does not have the same out-of-pocket costs associated with Traditional Medicare. Some people who had a Medigap policy prior to enrolling in a MA plan decide to hold onto the Medigap policy while in the MA plan but this would not result in extra coverage. Moreover, for those with VA coverage, a Medigap policy would likely only duplicate, rather than offer any additional coverage.

As discussed above, it is important to understand all the benefits being offered by the various types of coverage including MA-PDs, the VA, and Medigap policies. All individuals must make a decision about the amount of coverage that they feel meets all of their needs. 

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