TRICARE and FEHBP coverage are more comprehensive than Medicare’s drug coverage (so they are considered creditable). You may be better off keeping your TRICARE or FEHBP and not enrolling in the Medicare drug benefit. If you decide you want to enroll in the Medicare drug benefit later, you will not have to pay a penalty as long as you enroll within 63 days of dropping or losing this coverage. Contact TRICARE or FEHBP for more information.

Note: If you qualify for full Extra Help your co-pays for covered drugs may be less than if you just kept TRICARE or FEHBP. However, TRICARE of FEHBP’s list of covered drugs could be broader than those of Medicare private drug plans in your area and TRICARE will cover drugs not on its list for a higher copay.

For more information about Extra Help, click on the links in the GO TO box.

If you have TRICARE and you decide to join a Medicare private drug plan, Medicare will pay first and TRICARE will pay second.

If you have FEHBP and you decide to join a Medicare private drug plan, it depends on whether or not you are a current federal employee. If you are a current employee, FEHBP will pay first and Medicare will pay second. If you are a federal retiree, Medicare will pay first and FEHBP will pay second.