The best health insurance for veterans

Most uniformed military personnel are familiar with TRICARE, which provides free and low-cost health care for active-duty service members and their families. The good news is that for some veterans, TRICARE will undoubtedly continue to be the best health insurance option after leaving the military.

Unfortunately, TRICARE doesn’t cover all veterans. Vets who have retired from duty are eligible, as are those who are medically retired due to disability or chronic disease. But separated service members will not qualify, with one exception: recipients of the Medal of Honor and their families.

Still, qualifying veterans have a lot to like about TRICARE’s retired service member plans. It provides several individual options: Prime, Select, Overseas, and TRICARE for Life, which is wraparound coverage for those who also carry Medicare Parts A and B. TRICARE also offers a family plan to those who live in select states and optional dental and vision insurance through FEDVIP for federal employees.

While no longer free for retired veterans, TRICARE plans are low-cost — especially when compared to civilian insurance providers. On the other hand, many of the benefits will continue to remain the same after retirement, such as use of military pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics, as well as access to the TRICARE Pharmacy Program. The Department of Defense provides more plan details in its Retiring from Active Duty brochure.

Military veterans who are ineligible for TRICARE may qualify for the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA). While not officially an insurance provider, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers this program to those veterans who are not military retirees or the spouse of a veteran who was killed in action.

Among its many benefits is that CHAMPVA covers most medical procedures and services, such as ambulatory surgery, family planning and maternity, hospice, mental health, outpatient, pharmacy, and transplants, to name a few. While there are exclusions, and some types of extended care will likely be reviewed periodically, CHAMPVA provides quality, low-cost coverage for veterans and their families.

CHAMPVA does not operate a network of medical providers, but policyholders can receive care from their local VA Medical Centers, as well as hospitals and clinics that accept Medicare or TRICARE. So you’ll presumably find healthcare services near you. However, for those who want treatment with a non-VA medical physician, CHAMPVA offers few options.

You can review CHAMPVA benefits and eligibility requirements in more detail through its online pamphlet, and contact veterans services by phone with any questions: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET at 800-733-8387.

Humana’s Special Needs Plan (SNP) provides coverage for veterans and others suffering from disabling chronic medical conditions and those who are residents of long-term care facilities. Technically, SNP is a Medicare Advantage Plan, but one that blends benefits from Parts A and B of the Original Medicare Plan with prescription drug coverage.

SNP comes in two varieties. The Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP) is designed for those suffering from disabling conditions such as cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure, diabetes, and lung disorders. Its Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) combines all Medicare benefits and state-run Medicaid benefits into a single, convenient plan.

The primary disadvantage to SNP is that veterans must qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid to be eligible. Indeed, all of Humana’s individual plans are provided through Medicare, as the provider has recently shifted its focus from private insurance to employer-based offerings.

Still, for disabled veterans who both qualify for coverage and live in one of the states that offers either C-SNP or D-SNP, Humana may provide quality comprehensive care at an affordable price.

The provider also offers Medicare Advantage plans for those without a disability or chronic condition, including an HMO, PPO, supplemental vision and dental, prescription drug plan (PDP), and private fee-for-service plan (PFFS).

Blue Cross Blue Shield is an expansive network of state and regional insurance companies that operate independently. Broadly known as the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), this alliance of providers gives its members the flexibility to receive health care in all 50 states. What’s more, veterans who live or work overseas may find a plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield Global that gives them access to international medical services via GeoBlue and Bupa Global.

With insurance options spanning the globe, it’s no wonder that BCBSA offers preferred provider organization plans (PPOs) that are arguably without equal when it comes to choice. While all PPO programs give patients the freedom to seek care from any provider — both in- and out-of-network — few offer the vast portfolio of doctors, specialists, and hospitals that Blue Cross Blue Shield does.

BCBSA provides the health plans that most would expect of a nationwide insurer: HMOs, PPOs, Medicare plans, dental, and health spending accounts (HSAs), to name a few. Of course, price points and access will vary depending on your medical history, state of residence, and the level of coverage you choose. The provider offers several tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold — and each plan comes with different individual deductibles, premiums, coinsurance coverage, and copay for primary care physicians (PCP).

Blue Cross Blue Shield companies win high ratings for patient care and customer satisfaction in many states, according to the NCQA. The network was also awarded top honors in multiple areas of the U.S. in J.D. Power’s Commercial Member Health Plan Study.

The Kaiser Foundation Health Plan is a nonprofit insurance company that operates in select states and regions. Unlike other insurers, Kaiser Permanente offers its members both health insurance and medical care by way of its network of hospitals, physicians, and other medical service centers. This model streamlines the health care for many veterans and their families.

Kaiser offers highly-rated health maintenance organization plans (HMOs) that provide affordable copays, low-cost premiums, zero deductibles, and discounted prescription drug costs. It also participates in Medicaid programs and offers several Medicare plans, including Part C, Part D, and Medicare Advantage Plus for veterans who want options for dental and vision.

Kaiser Permanente also provides preventative care programs that give veterans access to wellness coaching, mental health services, women’s health services, addiction recovery programs, and more.

Many of Kaiser’s HMO plans receive five-star ratings from NCQA’s Health Plan Report Card. It has only two complaints logged with the NAIC, and the provider receives the top spot for customer satisfaction in both California and Colorado, according to J.D. Power.