TRICARE Select vs Blue Cross: 2026 Plan Comparison | TRICARE.com

TRICARE Select and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) are two of the most popular health insurance options for military families and retirees. While TRICARE Select is a military-specific PPO plan, BCBS is typically accessed by this community through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program or private employers.

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or affiliated with the Department of Defense. For official policy, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Bottom line * **Lowest Cost:** **TRICARE Select** (Active duty families pay $0 enrollment fees; retiree premiums are significantly lower than BCBS). * **Most Flexibility:** **Blue Cross Blue Shield** (Offers a wider nationwide network of providers and specialized "Basic" or "Standard" tiers). * **Best for Families:** **TRICARE Select** (Low out-of-pocket costs and no referral requirements make it highly cost-effective for large families). * **Best for Retirees:** **TRICARE Select** (Lower annual enrollment fees compared to FEHB premiums, though BCBS may offer better dental/vision bundles).

## Side-by-side comparison The following compares **TRICARE Select (Group A, Retiree)** and **BCBS Service Benefit Plan (Standard Option)** for 2026.

| Feature | TRICARE Select (2026) | BCBS Standard (2026) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Eligibility** | ADSM families, Retirees, Medal of Honor recipients | Federal employees, Retirees, Private sector employees | | **Enrollment Fee/Premium** | ~$190/indiv; ~$380/family (Retirees) | Varies by employer/FEHB (Typically higher) | | **Annual Deductible** | $150/indiv; $300/family (Group A) | ~$350/indiv; ~$700/family | | **Primary Care Copay** | ~$37 (In-network) | ~$25 - $35 | | **Specialist Copay** | ~$50 (In-network) | ~$35 - $50 | | **ER Copay** | ~$116 - $145 | ~$150 - $250 | | **Pharmacy Copay** | $16 (Generic); $43 (Brand) | $10 (Generic); $60+ (Preferred Brand) | | **Referrals Required** | No | No | | **Network Restrictions** | Any TRICARE-authorized provider | Any BCBS-participating provider | | **Catastrophic Cap** | $4,399 (Retirees) | ~$6,000 - $8,000 |

*Costs based on 2026 projected rates for Group A retirees. ADSM family members generally have lower or $0 costs for many categories.*

## When to choose each **Choose TRICARE Select if** you are a military retiree or active duty family member looking for the lowest possible monthly premium. Select is ideal for those who value the freedom to see any doctor without a referral but want to keep their "catastrophic cap" (the maximum you pay per year) much lower than private industry standards. It is the best financial choice for those living near military installations or in areas with high TRICARE provider density.

**Choose Blue Cross Blue Shield if** you are a dual-status individual (e.g., a military retiree working a federal civil service job) who finds that local doctors do not accept TRICARE. BCBS often has a more robust network in rural areas and offers "Standard" and "Basic" plans that can be tailored to your specific usage. It is also a strong choice if you prefer a plan that integrates more seamlessly with civilian Medicare Part B during age-in.

## Switching between them You cannot freely jump between TRICARE and BCBS at any time. You must wait for **Open Season**, which typically runs from the Monday of the second full week in November through the Monday of the second full week in December.

Outside of Open Season, you may only switch if you experience a **Qualifying Life Event (QLE)**. Common QLEs include: * Marriage or divorce. * Birth or adoption of a child. * Retiring from active duty. * Moving to a new zip code. * Loss of other health insurance coverage.

If you are a Federal employee and a military retiree, you may be eligible to "suspend" your FEHB (BCBS) coverage to use TRICARE, which allows you to re-enroll in BCBS later during an Open Season.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [TRICARE Select Overview](https://www.tricare.mil/select) * **OPM.gov:** [FEHB Program Information](https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/) * **BCBS Federal Employee Program:** [Standard and Basic Option Plans](https://www.fepblue.org/) * **Defense Health Agency:** [2026 Cost Methodology](https://health.mil/)