By MOAA Staff

TRICARE For Life beneficiaries seeking coverage for GLP-1 prescriptions may have seen headlines promoting a new program offering discounted medications … only to find out they are not eligible for the program without a Medicare Part D (pharmacy) plan.

This has led to growing interest in Part D among a population largely unfamiliar with how Medicare drug coverage works, how Medicare plans interact with TRICARE For Life and other service-earned coverage like CHAMPVA and VA health care, and whether Medicare Advantage plans (MAPs, or Medicare Part C) could be a good fit for their coverage needs.

Attend a Medicare Webinar at No Cost

A MOAA webinar on Sept. 22 will help you navigate the current Medicare environment. Whether you are enrolling in Medicare for the first time or considering switching to a Medicare Advantage plan and want to understand how this may impact your TFL coverage, this webinar will cover the basics as well as current topics including GLP-1s.

Veterans Healthcare (VHC), a MOAA affinity partner, will lead this discussion. VHC specializes in the intersection of Medicare and service-earned benefits, assisting more than 26,000 veterans in navigating what can be a confusing process.

GLP-1 Basics

Those considering a MAP or a Medicare Part D plan as a way to secure affordable GLP-1 medications should start with these questions, according to Taylor Miller, VHC founding partner and principal:

• What will the plan do to my current prescription drug coverage through TRICARE/Express Scripts?
• Can I continue to see my doctors?
• Will I pay more up front for the MAP/Part D plan? What about IRMAA-related costs?
• Will I have to file additional paperwork?
• Will there be a medical deductible? A prescription drug coverage deductible?
• What are copays for other medications on the plan?
• If I want to change back to Original Medicare and TRICARE For Life, can I do so at any time?

[FROM MEDICARE.GOV: GLP-1 Bridge Fact Sheet (Includes Eligibility Information)]

The webinar will help attendees answer the above concerns while looking at wider Medicare topics, including coverage changes taking effect in 2027.

“Medicare Advantage plans can be a benefit for many veterans,” said Miller, who will present the upcoming webinar, “but they are not one-size-fits-all.”  

Register for the webinar or visit the VHC website for more information.