How Much Does TRICARE Cost? 2026 Rates & Fees | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer For active duty service members and their families on TRICARE Prime, there are typically **$0 out-of-pocket costs** for covered medical services. Retirees, reservists, and those using TRICARE Select pay varying costs including annual deductibles, monthly premiums, and cost-shares depending on their "Group" status and specific plan.

Details

TRICARE costs are determined primarily by two factors: your **personnel status** (Active Duty vs. Retiree) and your **Group** (Group A if you/your sponsor joined before Jan. 1, 2018; Group B if on or after that date).

### 1. TRICARE Prime (HMO-style) * **Active Duty & Families:** $0 enrollment fees. $0 deductibles. $0 copays for covered care at military hospitals or with a referral. * **Retirees & Families:** For 2026, retirees pay an annual enrollment fee. *Note: 2026 rates vary slightly by group—check TRICARE.mil for the precise dollar amount for your specific tier.* * **Point of Service (POS):** If Prime members see a provider without a referral, they face a heavy deductible (approx. $300 individual / $600 family) and 50% cost-shares.

### 2. TRICARE Select (PPO-style) Select has no enrollment fee for active duty families, but requires meeting an annual deductible before the plan pays. * **Deductibles (2026):** Varies by rank and Group. Typically ranges from $60 to $182 for E-4 and below, and higher for O-prefix ranks. * **Cost-Shares:** Once the deductible is met, you pay a fixed copay (Group A) or a percentage (Group B) for office visits.

### 3. Premium-Based Plans (Monthly Rates) Some beneficiaries must pay monthly premiums to have coverage at all. Based on 2026 projections: * **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS):** Monthly premiums for qualified Selected Reserve members. * **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR):** Significantly higher monthly premiums for retirees under age 60. * **TRICARE Young Adult (TYA):** Monthly premiums for adult children up to age 26 who are not otherwise eligible for employer-sponsored care.

### 4. Pharmacy Costs Managed by **Express Scripts**, pharmacy costs are standardized across most plans (except for Active Duty, who pay $0): * **Military Pharmacy:** $0 for a 90-day supply. * **Home Delivery:** Tier 1 (Generic) is the lowest cost; Brand-name and Non-formulary drugs carry higher copays. * **Retail Network:** Most expensive option for maintenance medications.

### 5. Catastrophic Cap This is the most you will pay out-of-pocket for covered services in a calendar year. For 2026, the cap for active duty families is generally around $1,288, while for retirees it can exceed $4,300 depending on the plan and Group.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** Pay $0 for all authorized care. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Pay $0 on Prime; small deductibles/copays on Select. * **Retirees and their Families:** Pay enrollment fees (Prime) or monthly premiums (Select/TRS) and cost-shares. * **National Guard & Reserve:** Pay monthly premiums for TRS or TRR coverage. * **Survivors & Medically Retired:** Specific cost-tiering applies, often matching retiree rates.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Compare Costs Tool](https://www.tricare.mil/costs) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [Annual Cost Reports](https://health.mil) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region):** [Provider & Payment Info](https://www.triwest.com) * **Humana Military (East Region):** [Beneficiary Costs](https://www.humanamilitary.com)