TRICARE Group A vs Group B Retiree Costs & Rules | TRICARE.com

## Quick answer In the TRICARE system, your "Group" is determined by when you or your sponsor first entered the military. Group A members joined before January 1, 2018, and generally pay no annual enrollment fees for Prime; Group B members joined on or after that date and face higher out-of-pocket costs and mandatory enrollment fees.

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

Details

Distinguishing between Group A and Group B is the most important step in calculating your retirement healthcare costs. These groups determine your enrollment fees, annual deductibles, and catastrophic caps.

### Group A: "The Legacy Group" You are in Group A if your initial enlistment or appointment to the uniformed services occurred **before January 1, 2018**. * **TRICARE Prime:** Retirees in Group A pay an annual enrollment fee (roughly $374.40 for individuals or $748.80 for families in 2026 rates). * **TRICARE Select:** Most Group A retirees do not pay an enrollment fee, though "Group A Retirees" who retired after 2020 do have a monthly/annual fee (roughly $189 for individuals or $378 for families in 2026 rates). * **Catastrophic Cap:** For Group A retirees, the 2026 catastrophic cap is typically $4,153.

### Group B: "The New Group" You are in Group B if your initial enlistment or appointment occurred **on or after January 1, 2018**. * **Higher Costs:** Group B is subject to higher copayments and higher enrollment fees than Group A. * **TRICARE Select:** In Group B, Select is not "free." You must pay an enrollment fee to have coverage. * **Deductibles:** Group B retirees face much higher annual deductibles before TRICARE begins paying for covered services. * **Catastrophic Cap:** For 2026, the Group B retiree catastrophic cap is significantly higher, often reaching $4,399 or more depending on the specific plan.

### Key Cost Differences (2026 Estimates) | Feature | Group A Retiree | Group B Retiree | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Select Enrollment Fee** | Lower (~$189/yr) | Higher (~$550+/yr) | | **Select Deductible** | ~$150 (Individual) | ~$300+ (Individual) | | **Primary Care Copay** | Lower | Higher |

### Important Exception: TRICARE For Life If you are a retiree and move to TRICARE For Life (TFL) because you have Medicare Part A and B, the Group A/B distinction becomes less relevant for your secondary coverage, as TFL generally has no enrollment fees regardless of your group.

## Who this affects * **Military Retirees:** Both "Regular" retirees and Medical retirees. * **Retiree Family Members:** Spouses and children covered under a retiree's plan. * **Survivors:** Spouses and children of deceased service members. * **Medically Retired Veterans:** Those placed on the Temporary or Permanent Disability Retired List.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Cost Terms](https://www.tricare.mil/Costs/CostTerms) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [Beneficiary Categories](https://health.mil/) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** [West Region Costs](https://www.triwest.com) * **Humana Military:** [East Region Costs](https://www.humanamilitary.com)