Part D vs VA

To use Medicare Part D , I think you would have to present pharmacy with presciptions. I think the VA doctors would not provide presciptions to use outside the VA system.

Called the VA . Nurse said have Doctor fax prescription to them they will submit on their script to VA pharmacy. I can only hope that this works each prescription will cost 9 dollars

>> The VA doc can write a script to be filled at any pharmacy

>> My VA doc will honor a script from a non VA doc and enter into the system to be filled

>> I carry Part D because I go to some outside the VA specialists and have scripts that aren't on the VA formulary

>> You are only 100% disabled for Agent Orange and prostate cancer if you are *actively* being treated for PC (like ADT, radiation, etc.) When you are finished with radiation or ADT, you will see a Doc to be re-evaluated and then you will be at anywhere from 20% and up depending on incontinence and other factors. (I was just re-evaluated a couple of weeks ago.)

Your Medicare F supplement plan does not cover prescription drugs. It only fills in the deductibles and copays of Medicare A and B. To my knowledge, Medicare does not cover anything that you have done at the VA, but in some instances the VA can bill your supplement plan. As to whether you can have a D plan, it is clear that you can. If you qualify for Medicare you are required to have B and D unless you have an employer sponsored prescription drug plan. Having the appropriate Medicare and supplement plans and VA benefits broadens your coverage and treatment options.

In my one experience having a part D prescription transferred to the VA I had no problem. Though technically, they didn't fill the prescription under Part D but instead re-issued it as their own prescription. I've had no problem using doctors both within the VA and also at a university medical center. I have both a VA primary care doc and medicare primary care doc and other doctors. I get most of my care through my "civilian" doctors outside the VA system through a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D prescription coverage.

I need the VA doc for referrals within the VA for vision care and hearing tests though she has has also sent me for some diagnostics that I never had through my other docs. Anyway, when the co-pay for the epi-Pen prescribed by my "civilian" doc jumped from $40 to something like $300, I took the written prescription to my VA doc. She prescribed it through the VA and it arrived in the mail a week or two later for a co-pay of $8.

I intend to maintain both the VA and Medicare systems as options going forward. Should I need further PCa treatment I want to have Dana Farber as an option. On the other hand if co-pays should become prohibitive, I would consider transferring my care to the VA. However, if I understand correctly, the VA would be unlikely to pay for expensive PCa drugs that are prescribed and administered outside of the VA system.
Jim

Im with going to a DAV service officer.They helped me big time for Agent orange.Good Luck.