TRICARE TRICARE is the Department of Defense’s health insurance program for active duty and retired military personnel and their family members. TRICARE consists of many different programs, including TRICARE for Life (TFL), a retiree benefit that acts as supplemental insurance to Medicare. is a health insurance program provided by the federal government to active duty and retired military personnel and their family members. There are many different TRICARE programs. TRICARE for Life (TFL), a program for Medicare-eligible military retirees and their dependents, acts as a supplement to Medicare.
- TFL typically covers your Medicare cost-sharing (deductibles, coinsurances, and copayments).
- TFL may pay when services are not covered by Medicare or when you have used up your Medicare benefits.
- TFL coverage and cost-sharing rules may apply.
If you are eligible for premium-free Part A, you should sign up for Medicare and enroll in Medicare Part B to continue receiving TRICARE benefits when you are no longer an active duty service member or covered by an active duty service member. After enrolling in Medicare, you should automatically receive your TRICARE benefits through TRICARE for Life. If you delay Part B enrollment, you may face late enrollment penalties and gaps in coverage Gaps in coverage are services or costs that are not covered by Original Medicare, such as vision, dental, and hearing care, as well as deductibles and coinsurance. . TFL also offers a pharmacy program that provides creditable drug coverage. You may choose to delay Part D enrollment without penalty and continue using TFL’s pharmacy program.
Remember, there are many different TRICARE programs. If you are an active duty service member (ADSM) or active duty family member (ADFM), you may receive your health benefits through a different TRICARE insurance program (such as TRICARE Standard or Prime). You typically can delay Part B enrollment if you are an ADSM or ADFM and enroll in Medicare when you are no longer active duty using the Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
Note: Beneficiaries eligible for Medicare due to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is a kidney disease that requires you to be on dialysis or have a kidney transplant. Patients with ESRD may qualify for Medicare coverage regardless of age. Â do not have a Part B SEP after ending active duty.
If you need assistance with TRICARE for Life or a different TRICARE program, visit TRICARE’s website for more information and contact information.