Possible Overlap In VA & Medicare Advantage Program

Between 2004 and 2009, about 1.2 million veterans received care from the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system while simultaneously enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. In 2009, about 8.3% of Medicare Advantage enrollees were eligible to receive care from the VA, and 5.0% of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries did receive care from the VA. The estimated VA health care costs for these Medicare Advantage beneficiaries was $3.2 billion in 2009. Normally when an insured veteran recieves care from the VA, the VA bills the veterans’ health insurer. In 2009, the VA billed Medicare Advantage plans $52.3 . . .