TRICARE 2026 Costs: Fees, Deductibles, and Copays | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer In 2026, TRICARE costs depend on your "Group" status (based on when you entered service) and your specific plan. Active duty members still pay $0 for all care, while retirees and families face modest increases in annual deductibles and enrollment fees adjusted for inflation under the T-5 contract.

Details

TRICARE costs are updated annually. For 2026, the primary drivers of cost are your beneficiary group and your plan type (Prime vs. Select).

### Group A vs. Group B * **Group A:** You or your sponsor joined the military before January 1, 2018. * **Group B:** You or your sponsor joined the military on or after January 1, 2018. Group B generally has higher enrollment fees but lower catastrophic caps.

### TRICARE Prime Costs (2026) TRICARE Prime remains the lowest-cost option for most. * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) & Families:** $0 enrollment fees and $0 out-of-pocket costs for covered services (when using referrals). * **Retirees & Families (Group A):** Expect annual enrollment fees to be approximately $390–$400 for individuals and $780–$800 for families (estimated 2026 rates based on COLA adjustments). * **Point-of-Service (POS) Charges:** If you see a provider without a referral, you will face a deductible (typically $300 individual/$600 family) and 50% cost-sharing.

### TRICARE Select Costs (2026) Select offers more flexibility but requires meeting a deductible and paying copays. * **Deductibles:** For Group A retirees, the 2026 deductible is approximately $150 per individual/ $300 per family. For Group B, these are higher. * **Enrollment Fees:** Retirees in Group A must pay an annual enrollment fee (roughly $185 per individual/$370 per family). * **Copayments:** Most primary care visits range from $25 to $40, while specialty care can range from $35 to $60 for retirees.

### Pharmacy Costs (Express Scripts) Pharmacy copays were restructured significantly in previous years. For 2026: * **Military Pharmacy:** $0 for a 90-day supply. * **Home Delivery (Tier 1 Generic):** ~$13–$15 for a 90-day supply. * **Retail Network (Tier 1 Generic):** ~$16–$20 for a 30-day supply. * **Non-Network Pharmacy:** You will pay the full price upfront and file for partial reimbursement.

### The Catastrophic Cap This is the most you will pay out-of-pocket for covered services in 2026. Once reached, TRICARE pays 100% of covered charges. * **Active Duty Families:** Approximately $1,000–$1,200. * **Retirees:** Approximately $4,000–$4,300 depending on Group status.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** No change; $0 out-of-pocket. * **Active Duty Families:** Minimal costs, primarily if using TRICARE Select. * **Retirees and their Families:** Impacted by annual enrollment fee and copay adjustments. * **National Guard & Reserve:** Impacted by monthly TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) premium adjustments. * **Young Adults:** Impacted by TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) premium increases.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Cost and Fees Sheet](https://www.tricare.mil/costs) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [Health Care Program Updates](https://health.mil) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** [West Region Claims and Costs](https://www.triwest.com) * **Humana Military:** [East Region Benefit Information](https://www.humanamilitary.com)