If I use the VA, should I still enroll in Medicare Part B?

Often yes. VA benefits don't cover civilian or emergency care outside the VA system, and delaying Part B can create a lifelong penalty. The right answer depends on how and where you get care — we'll help you decide.

What is Aid & Attendance and who qualifies?

A tax-free VA pension add-on for wartime veterans or surviving spouses who need help with at least two activities of daily living and meet income/asset requirements. Through our NAVF partnership, a free eligibility assessment is the fastest way to find out if you qualify.

Does TRICARE for Life require Medicare?

Yes — TRICARE For Life requires enrollment in both Medicare Part A and Part B once you're eligible. Skipping Part B can cost you your TRICARE coverage, which is one of the most expensive mistakes a military retiree can make.

Are you connected to Medicare or the government?

No. Mere Benefits is a private, independent agency and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. We don't offer every plan available in your area — to review all your options, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.

How much does it cost to work with Mere Benefits?

Nothing extra. Plan prices are set by the carriers and are identical whether you enroll on your own or with a licensed agent — we're paid by the carriers, so our guidance is free to you.

How do I get started?

Call or text (904) 654-5450, email info@merebenefits.com, or use our contact form. We'll set up a relaxed, no-pressure conversation — in person on the First Coast, or by phone and video.

Are you independent, or tied to one insurance company?

Independent. We aren't captive to a single insurer, so we compare the options across the carriers we represent and recommend what fits you — not what pays us most.

Will I have to change doctors?

Not if we can help it. Before recommending a plan we confirm your doctors are in-network and your prescriptions are covered, so keeping your care is part of the decision.

Can you help by phone and video, or only in person?

Both. We meet clients in person across Northeast Florida and Camden County, GA, and serve all 11 of our licensed states by phone and video.

Veteran Resources for Medicare

Name: Mere Benefits
Address: 9428 Baymeadows Rd. STE 137, Jacksonville, FL, 32256, US
Telephone: (904) 654-5450
Price range: Free consultation

New to coordinating VA benefits with Medicare? Start with Veterans & Medicare →

Veterans Crisis Line — help right now

If you or a veteran you love is in crisis: call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net. Free, confidential, 24/7.

Aid & Attendance — the VA pension benefit most families miss

Aid & Attendance is a tax-free VA pension benefit for wartime veterans (or surviving spouses) who need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or medication management. It is not counted as income, and the 2026 maximum monthly amounts are substantial: about $2,431 for a single veteran, $1,630 for a surviving spouse, and $2,885 for a veteran with a spouse.

We partner with the National Association for Veterans' Families (NAVF) to help veterans and their families access Aid & Attendance and other VA programs — NAVF provides free eligibility assessments and claims assistance.

Who may qualify: served during a wartime period (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, post-9/11)
Needs assistance with at least two activities of daily living
Meets income and asset requirements
Discharged under conditions other than dishonorable

Veterans & Medicare — the do's and don'ts

Many veterans are eligible for both VA health care and Medicare. Understanding how they work together is critical to avoiding penalties and maximizing your coverage.

✅ Do	❌ Don't
Enroll in Medicare Part A (usually free)	Assume VA care replaces Medicare
Carefully evaluate Part B timing	Skip Part B without understanding penalties
Consider a Medicare Supplement for non-VA care	Ignore TRICARE for Life requirements
Coordinate prescription coverage	Forget to coordinate benefits annually

Official VA health care & benefits

Start with the primary sources — every one of these is free to use:

VA Health Care — comprehensive health services for eligible veterans (VA.gov/health-care)
VA Disability — compensation for service-connected disabilities (VA.gov/disability)
VA Pension — income support for wartime veterans with limited income (VA.gov/pension)
VA Home Loans — no-down-payment mortgages for eligible veterans (VA.gov/housing-assistance)
VA Education / GI Bill — tuition assistance and education benefits (VA.gov/education)
Find a VA Facility — VA hospitals, clinics, and Vet Centers near you (VA.gov/find-locations)

Disability tools & claims

For rating, appeals, and tracking:

VA disability calculator — estimate your combined disability rating
Appeals guidance — how to appeal a VA disability decision (VA.gov/decision-reviews)
Claim status — track your VA claim or appeal (VA.gov/claim-or-appeal-status)
Compensation rate tables — current VA disability compensation rates
TRICARE.mil — TRICARE For Life and Medicare coordination for retirees
Your local County Veterans Service Officer — free claims help

Veteran service organizations & nonprofits

You do not have to file a VA claim alone. Accredited Veterans Service Organizations help veterans and survivors prepare and file claims at no charge, and they often catch benefits families did not know to ask for.

Your county Veterans Service Officer (every Florida county has one, free to use)
Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs: floridavets.org
Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and The American Legion all offer free accredited claim help
VA accredited representative search: va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative

Financial, housing & everyday savings

Several programs stretch a fixed income further, and many veterans and seniors never claim them because nobody mentioned they existed.

Senior and veteran discounts are the easiest example: plenty of restaurants, retailers, and services offer them, but usually only if you ask. Our guide to senior discounts walks through where to ask and what is typically available.

VA home loan benefits and property tax exemptions for disabled veterans in Florida
Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help, which can pay Part B premiums and cut drug costs
Lifeline phone service and utility assistance programs
Senior and veteran discounts: see our guide at /blog/senior-discounts-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know-and-why-you-should-always-ask

Where a local agent helps

These programs each have their own rules, and the interaction — especially whether to take Medicare Part B — is where veterans most often go wrong. We help you weigh Part B, drug coverage, and whether an Advantage or Supplement plan adds value on top of your VA benefits, at no cost to you. For the full walkthrough, read our Veterans & Medicare guide.