I’m a VN combat vet and don’t have any service connected issues (most wounds heal) and didn’t sign up for Medicare when I was age qualified but did register with the VA years before but never needed them until I got older. It just worked out that way.
We’ll have to see what transpires and I may use Medicare if the VA goes down hill. As I said, Trump did a remarkable job of getting the VA on track. Now the indicators are that it’s going down hill again.
Best wishes to you.
You may have a difficult time getting into the VA if you can’t “prove” some sort of service related issue. I’m barely in at the lowest level available. It’s a matter of money as is most everything these days. Even my Senior Care Plus medicare supplement has big deductibles attached. Medicare is NOT free care. Even though the Senior Care Plus is a no cost supplement.
Not directed at me but I will make a comment: My service connected disability (Vietnam) qualifys me for full health care benefits. Everything except dental. No co-pay. I have an appointment with the optometrist next week. They won't buy really expensive frames. I think the credit for frames is $200. The exam is free, as I said, like everything, except dental.
And...as luck would have it, the dentist in our little town gives free exams and cleaning to veterans once a year.
The VA covers a lot more than medicare.
For me.
I don't know about 0% or non-service connected disabled veterans benefits.
I have both. Medicare is a backup to the VA. If I’m on the road somewhere and something happens and I need to go to the hospital, Medicare kicks in with a requirement to send me to the nearest VA hospital when stabilized.