TRICARE Long-Term Care: What is Covered in 2026? | TRICARE.com

## Quick answer **TRICARE does not cover long-term care (LTC)**, such as long-term stays in assisted living or nursing homes for custodial care. However, TRICARE does cover medically necessary "Skilled Nursing Facility" (SNF) care for recuperation after a hospital stay and specific home health services for those with profound disabilities.

## Details TRICARE is designed as an acute-care health plan. It pays for recovery and medical treatment but is not a funding source for "custodial care"—assistance with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, and eating.

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

### Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Care While TRICARE won't pay for "living" in a nursing home, it does cover stays in a Skilled Nursing Facility if: * The care is medically necessary (e.g., intensive physical therapy or wound care). * The patient is recovering from a hospital stay of at least three consecutive days (for most plans). * The SNF is a TRICARE-authorized provider. * **2026 Costs:** For retirees on TRICARE Select, the cost for an SNF stay is typically a daily copayment (e.g., ~$250/day in 2026, though specific rates vary by beneficiary group). TRICARE Prime usually has a $0 copay for SNF care if referred/authorized.

### The Home Health Care Benefit TRICARE covers part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care and home health aide services if the patient is homebound. This is not 24/7 care; it is intended for clinical monitoring or rehabilitation.

### Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) For active duty family members (ADFMs) with a qualifying disability (like a serious physical disability or neuromuscular disorder), the ECHO program provides additional "wrap-around" services. While ECHO does not provide traditional long-term care, it may provide: * In-home respite care (up to 16 hours/month). * Specialized equipment. * Training for family members.

### Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) Because TRICARE and Medicare do not cover LTC, many military families look to the **FLTCIP**. This is a separate insurance program managed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Active duty members, retirees, and their qualified family members are eligible to apply, but they must pay separate monthly premiums. * *Note: As of early 2026, the FLTCIP has maintained a "suspended enrollment" period for new applicants while OPM evaluates premium stability. Current policyholders are unaffected.*

## Who this affects * **Retirees and their spouses:** Most likely to need LTC; must rely on private savings, FLTCIP, or Medicaid. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** May qualify for limited respite care through ECHO, but not long-term custodial care. * **Survivors:** Eligible for the same limited SNF benefits as retirees. * **National Guard/Reserve:** Eligible for SNF care when on active duty orders or covered under TRICARE Reserve Select.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Skilled Nursing Care](https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/SkilledNursingCare) * **TRICARE.mil:** [Long-Term Care Explanation](https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/LongTermCare) * **Office of Personnel Management (OPM):** [Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program](https://www.ltcfeds.com/) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [ECHO Program Details](https://www.tricare.mil/echo)