TRICARE and Medicare: How TRICARE For Life Works | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer When you have both TRICARE and Medicare, they work together through a program called **TRICARE For Life (TFL)**. Medicare acts as your primary insurance, and TRICARE acts as a second payer, covering most out-of-pocket costs like coinsurance and deductibles.

Details

For most military retirees and their dependents, transitioning to Medicare is mandatory to keep TRICARE coverage. This integration is seamless, but there are specific rules regarding eligibility and enrollment.

### 1. The Requirement for Medicare Part B To keep TRICARE once you become eligible for Medicare (usually at age 65), you **must** be enrolled in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). If you fail to enroll in Part B, you lose your TRICARE coverage entirely. * **Medicare Part A:** Covers inpatient hospital stays. Most people get this for free based on work history. * **Medicare Part B:** Requires a monthly premium. For 2026, the standard premium varies based on income—check Medicare.gov for the current exact figure. * **TRICARE For Life:** Enrollment is automatic once you have both Part A and Part B. There are no separate enrollment fees for TFL.

### 2. How the Benefits Coordinate * **In the U.S. and U.S. Territories:** Medicare pays first. TRICARE For Life pays second. In most cases, your out-of-pocket cost for or Medicare-covered services is **$0**. * **Overseas:** Since Medicare does not provide coverage outside the U.S., TRICARE For Life becomes the primary payer. You will typically pay the TRICARE deductible and cost-shares. * **Pharmacy:** Your prescription drug coverage is provided by the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, managed by Express Scripts. You do **not** need to purchase a Medicare Part D plan.

### 3. TRICARE and Medicare for Under-65 Beneficiaries If you are under age 65 and have Medicare due to a disability or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you are also eligible for TRICARE For Life. You must maintain Part B to keep your TRICARE, just like those over 65.

### 4. Costs and Copays (2026 Rates) While there is no enrollment fee for TFL, you are responsible for: * **Medicare Part B Premiums:** Deducted from your Social Security check. * **Pharmacy Copays:** For 2026, copays depend on whether you use Home Delivery, a retail network pharmacy, or a Military Pharmacy ($0). * **Services not covered by Medicare:** If TRICARE covers a service but Medicare does not, you pay the TRICARE deductible and cost-share.

## Who this affects * **Retirees and their spouses:** Once they reach age 65 or become Medicare-eligible due to disability. * **Medal of Honor recipients** and their families. * **Survivors** of deceased service members who are Medicare-eligible. * **Note:** Active duty service members and their families do *not* typically use TRICARE For Life; they remain on TRICARE Prime or Select until the member retires.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** TRICARE For Life Overview (https://www.tricare.mil/tfl) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** Medicare and TRICARE Coordination (https://health.mil) * **Medicare.gov:** Coordination of Benefits (https://www.medicare.gov) * **Express Scripts:** TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery (https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com)