# He Skips VA Part B to Save $202.90 Monthly

> Veteran skips Medicare Part B premium to save $202.90 monthly but risks long drives and future penalties.
- Title: He Skips VA Part B to Save $202.90 Monthly · 24/7 Wall St.
- Summary: Veteran skips Medicare Part B premium to save $202.90 monthly but risks long drives and future penalties. Veteran saves $202.90 monthly by skipping Medicare…
- Keywords: va health care, medicare part b, veteran, premium, enrollment window, 90 minutes drive, lifetime penalty, Skips, Part, Save, 202, Monthly
- Source: 24/7 Wall St. — https://247wallst.com/personal-finance/2026/10/19/he-has-va-health-care-and-will-skip-part-b-to-save-202-90-a-month-the-va-hospital-will-be-90-minutes-away-the-specialist-10-minutes-away-will-need-va-approval-or-he-could-pay-the-bill-himself
- Author: Gerelyn Terzo
- Published: 2026-10-19T14:00:01+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: va health care, medicare part b, veteran, premium, enrollment window, 90 minutes drive, lifetime penalty
## Veteran skips Medicare Part B premium
He turns 65 before end of 2026 and skips Medicare Part B premium to save $202.90 monthly.
## Nearest VA hospital 90 minutes away
His nearest VA hospital is 90 minutes away while a specialist is only 10 minutes from his home.
## No Medicare coverage without Part B
Without Part B he has no Medicare coverage for outpatient visits to local specialists.
## VA coverage ends at 90 minutes
VA health care covers care only within 90 minutes drive or approved referrals.
## Medicare Part B covers local doctors
Medicare Part B covers care from doctors who take Medicare without VA approval required.
## Enrollment window closes in 3 months
His penalty-free enrollment window opens three months before turning 65 and closes three months after birthday month.
## Lifetime penalty risk
If he misses enrollment window, he pays a lifetime penalty that grows with each year delayed.
## Part B premium rises yearly
Standard Part B premium increased from $185.00 in 2025 to $202.90 in 2026.
## No VA approval for local doctors
He could pay the bill himself for local doctors without VA approval for outpatient visits.
## Key takeaway

Veteran saves $202.90 monthly by skipping Medicare Part B but faces 90-minute drives to VA hospitals and lifetime penalties if he misses enrollment window.