Medicare Resources for Veterans
Thank you for your service! You honorably served our country, and now UPMC for Life wants to honor you.
“You’ll be amazed at what UPMC for Life PPO Salute can do for you.”
- Ray Dougherty, Retired 34-Year Army and Air Force veteran
UPMC for Life PPO Salute member
As a veteran, you can save money and get more benefits with your Medicare plan! Check out all that UPMC for Life can offer you.
Plans designed for veterans by veterans
The type of coverage you have from your service may help you decide which plan will fit you best.
What are the types of coverage?
If you have TRICARE For Life, UPMC for Life PPO Salute (PPO) may be a good fit for you.
This plan is recommended for military retirees who are also on the TRICARE For Life plan. UPMC for Life PPO Salute plan offers a $0 monthly premium, money back in your Social Security check each month, and rich extra benefits that Original Medicare does not offer.
How does this plan work?
This plan works with your TRICARE For Life plan and gives you benefits you may not already have. It closely mirrors Original Medicare and does not offer drug coverage, so you can keep TRICARE For Life as a secondary plan.
| Original Medicare + TRICARE For Life | UPMC for Life PPO Salute + TRICARE For Life | |
|---|---|---|
| Money back in your monthly Social Security check | Not covered | You get money back in your monthly Social Security check just for being a member of this plan. |
| Dental coverage premium | Not covered | $0—included in UPMC for Life PPO Salute plan |
| Vision coverage premium | Not covered | $0—included in UPMC for Life PPO Salute plan |
| Hearing coverage premium | Not covered | $0—included in UPMC for Life PPO Salute plan |
| Gym membership | Not covered | $0—included in UPMC for Life PPO Salute plan |
| Additional extra benefits | Not covered | The UPMC for Life Flex Spend Card gives you additional dollars that can be used for doctor’s office copays; fitness; over-the-counter products; and dental, vision, and hearing services. |
You can use our Plan Comparison Tool to review more plan details and compare your out-of-pocket costs.
Plan Comparison ToolWhat is TRICARE For Life and how do you know if you qualify?
TRICARE For Life is a health insurance program that steps in to help cover the costs that members would typically be responsible for after Medicare pays its portion. If you have TRICARE For Life, it will pay your Medicare Parts A and B deductibles, copays, and cost shares for services covered by TRICARE For Life. TRICARE-covered services include hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and prescription drugs.
If you use a doctor or supplier that doesn’t accept Medicare, TRICARE For Life may pay up to 15 percent over the Medicare-allowed amount. For most covered medical services, UPMC for Life will pay part of the cost-sharing amount and TRICARE For Life will pay the remainder. This means you would not have to pay anything.
Requirements for TRICARE For Life include having Medicare Parts A and B coverage and a military ID. If you are not sure whether you qualify, visit the TRICARE For Life website.
If you have VA healthcare coverage, UPMC for Life HMO No Rx (HMO) may be a good choice for you.
This plan is recommended for individuals who already have credible drug coverage and do not need a Part D plan. The UPMC for Life HMO No Rx plan gives you medical coverage and extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing coverage; over-the-counter products; and free gym memberships—all for $0 per month! Plus, you get money back in your monthly Social Security check.
How does this plan work?
This plan will work alongside your VA healthcare coverage to give you easy affordable access to the high-quality medical benefits you need. Plus, you’ll have more options for where and how you receive care, including access to non-VA doctors.
VA healthcare copays may vary depending on your priority group. Some veterans may not have to pay copays if they qualify. For more information, visit va.gov.
| VA healthcare (earned government entitlement) |
UPMC for Life HMO No Rx (private insurance plan) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Money back in your monthly Social Security check | N/A | You get money back in your Social Security check just for being a member of this plan. |
| Dental coverage | Limited Coverage | Yes |
| Vision coverage | Limited Coverage | Yes |
| Hearing coverage | Limited Coverage | Yes |
| Gym membership | None | Yes |
| UPMC for Life Flex Spend Card | N/A | The UPMC for Life Flex Spend Card gives you additional dollars that can be used for doctor’s office copays; fitness; over-the-counter products; and dental, vision, and hearing services. |
You can use our Plan Comparison Tool to review more plan details and compare your out-of-pocket costs.
Plan Comparison Tool
If you have neither TRICARE For Life nor VA healthcare, UPMC for Life offers additional plans that may be a good fit for you.
UPMC for Life has many other plans that you can choose from based on your healthcare needs. Monthly premiums start as low as $0 per month with medical and prescription benefits in one easy-to-use plan.
Helpful Tools and Resources
UPMC for Life also offers several personal health care resources to our members:
- Health coaches
- Personal care managers
- Support for serious illness
- Personal counseling
- Resources for caregivers
These programs give our members access to tools and resources that can help them coordinate their care, make healthy lifestyle changes, and provide support for serious illness. They are just some of the ways that UPMC for Life is supporting our members in getting the care they deserve.
If you have any questions or would like someone to help you with your plan choice, you can call one of our Medicare Advisors at 1-844-284-2526 (TTY: 711). They are available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to answer your questions, help you compare your plan options, and look up your doctors and prescriptions to make sure they are covered.
Medicare resources
View MoreThis information is not a complete description of benefits. Call 1-866-400-5077 (TTY: 711) for more information. Out-of-network/Noncontracted providers are under no obligation to treat UPMC for Life members, except in emergency situations. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost sharing that applies to out-of-network services. Other physicians/providers are available in the UPMC for Life network.
This information is available for free in other languages. Please call our customer service number at 1-877-539-3080 (TTY: 711).
UPMC for Life has a contract with Medicare to provide HMO, HMO D-SNP, and PPO plans. The HMO D-SNP plans have a contract with the PA State Medical Assistance program. Enrollment in UPMC for Life depends on contract renewal. UPMC for Life is a product of and operated by UPMC Health Plan Inc., UPMC Health Network Inc., UPMC Health Benefits Inc., UPMC for You Inc.
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UPMC for Life Members
Call us: 1-877-539-3080
TTY: 711
Oct. 1 – March 31:
Seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April 1 – Sept. 30:
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
UPMC for Life Prospective Members
Call us: 1-866-400-5077
TTY: 711
Oct. 1 – March 31:
Seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April 1 – July 31:
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Aug. 1 – Sept. 30:
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.