TRICARE is a health care program for active-duty and retired uniformed services members and their families including: the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Your benefits will vary depending on your beneficiary designation.
The program has four primary classifications: TRICARE Prime, Extra, Standard and TRICARE for Life (TFL).
TRICARE for Life provides expanded medical coverage to Medicare eligible uniformed services retirees 65 or older, to their eligible family members and survivors, and to certain former spouses.
You must have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare B (Medical Insurance) to get TFL benefits.
Can I have both Medicare and TRICARE?
Some people can have both Medicare and other types of TRICARE, including dependents of active-duty service members who are allowed Medicare for any reason.
People under age 65 with Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) because of a disability or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and with Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) are eligible.
People 65 or older who can get Part A and join Part B are eligible. If you have TRICARE, you don’t need to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. However, if you do, your Medicare drug plan pays first, and TRICARE pays second.
If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) with prescription coverage, your Medicare Advantage Plan and TRICARE my coordinate benefits if your Medicare Advantage Plan network pharmacy is also a TRICARE network pharmacy. Otherwise, you can file your own claim to get paid back for your out of pocket expenses.
I have Medicare and TRICARE- Who pays first?
In general, Medicare pays first for Medicare-covered services. TRICARE will pay the Medicare deductible and coinsurance amounts for any services not covered by Medicare that TRICARE covers. You pay the cost of services Medicare or TRICARE doesn’t cover.
Who pays if I get services from a military hospital?
If you get services from a military hospital or any other federal health care provider, TRICARE will pay the bills. Medicare usually does not pay for services you get from a federal health care provider or other federal agency.
Where can I get more information?
Visit Tricare.mil/tfl.
Call the health benefits advisor at a military hospital or clinic.
Call TRICARE For Life at 1-866-773-0404.
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