Since I’m retired military my “free” healthcare for life is going to cost me $1,200 - as it stands right now - when they kick me off TriCare into TriCare for Life (medicaid) at 62.
When that happens I’m on the hook for part B also.
You can reject Part B Medicare and just go with the the free Part A inpatient coverage. My wife and I are both veterans and get out medical care from the VA system. Unless I travel out of the coverage area of a VA facility, they provided me with outpatient coverage for just my co-pays for prescriptions. Medicare will send you a new card showing only Part A coverage. I need the $100 a month for income, more than I need duplicate outpatient coverage.
I'm in that same boat. I am also retired military and when I raised my right hand to take the oath several times over the 30 year period I was told I would get free health care for life. Well that was BS. When I turned sixty five I had to get into the medicare system or get my own private insurance. Medicare does in fact cost me 1200 per year too.
Your "Tricare for Life" becomes your supplement and essentially pays for everything Medicare doesn't.
Even though $1,200.00 per year is reasonable at 69 years old, the principle of being lied to by the military is what irks me.
Tricare costs you right now. Tricare for Life starts when Medicare starts (usually at age 65). Tricare for Life is free and pays the costs not covered by Medicare. Essentially it is a Medicare supplement.