Prescription Services & Benefits for Veterans

By Janise Smith

Men and women veterans of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard as well as Reservists and members of the National Guard are eligible to receive health care benefits during and after their active service duties. Government and independent providers offer medical coverage or discount programs to veterans, their spouses and dependents that include such services as physical exams, hospitalization and prescription benefits.

Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program must have their prescriptions monitored and managed by VA providers or co-managed with a community provider. Medications must be prescribed by VA providers from a list of approved medications, and the prescription benefits of the VA plan does not include prescriptions or refills from private physicians. Veterans wanting coverage for medications prescribed from non-VA physicians have to provide their VA health care providers with all outside medical records to get VA approval. VA health care providers are not obligated to prescribe medications recommended by non-VA physicians. The VA also offers online prescription service benefits for veterans that allow them to order refills and manage their VA prescribed medications. Veterans can also refill prescriptions through the mail or by telephone.

Many veterans already enrolled in the VA healthcare plan are also eligible to enroll in the Medicare program. The VA reviewed the prescription services and benefits offered in Medicare plans and determined that the VA health program provides benefits comparable to it. Veterans have the choice to enroll in a Medicare prescription plan and still receive all VA prescription drug and health benefits as they can participate in either program or in both. Veterans enrolled in both plans cannot have coverage under both programs for the same prescription, and they may choose programs based on the prescription and if it is covered on the approved drugs list. If veterans lose VA coverage as a result of changes made to the program by the administration, they can enroll in Medicare Part D prescription coverage within 62 of losing the VA coverage without penalty.

Veterans Advantage partners with other corporations to provide discounts to veterans through their national program. A prescription drug card is provided as part of all three membership choices and veterans can receive discounts on prescriptions at more than 50,000 regional and national pharmacies including Rite Aid, CVS, Kmart and Walgreens. Additional services and benefits for veterans in the Veterans Advantage membership include receiving assistance with locating local participating pharmacies as well as looking up covered prescriptions and comparing their costs before purchasing.

http://www.lenderva.com