TRICARE Cost Estimator: 2026 Fees, Deductibles, and Caps | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer There is no single "Tricare calculator" app, but you can estimate your costs by identifying your **Beneficiary Group** (determined by when you joined the military) and your specific **Plan Type**. Your costs are generally categorized into annual enrollment fees, deductibles, and per-visit copayments.

Details

To get an accurate cost estimate for 2026, you must first determine if you are in **Group A** (joined before Jan. 1, 2018) or **Group B** (joined on or after Jan. 1, 2018). Group B typically faces higher enrollment fees and deductibles.

### 1. Annual Enrollment Fees (2026 Rates) If you are an Active Duty Service Member (ADSM) or Active Duty Family Member (ADFM), you typically pay $0 in enrollment fees for Prime. Retirees and their families pay an annual fee: * **TRICARE Prime (Retirees):** Varies by year; check TRICARE.mil for 2026 specifics. * **TRICARE Select (Retirees):** Group A retirees must pay an annual enrollment fee to maintain coverage.

### 2. The Deductible This is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before TRICARE begins to share costs. * **Active Duty:** $0 deductible. * **TRICARE Select (Group A):** For 2026, individual deductibles for retirees are approximately $150–$200, while families are capped higher. * **TRICARE Select (Group B):** Significantly higher deductibles, often starting around $500+ for retirees.

### 3. Out-of-Pocket Caps (Catastrophic Cap) The Catastrophic Cap is the most you will pay for covered services in a calendar year. This is your "worst-case scenario" cost estimate. * **Active Duty Families:** Often capped around $1,000–$1,200 (2026 estimates). * **Retirees:** Caps can exceed $4,000 per family depending on the plan and Group (A or B).

### 4. Regional Contractor Tools While the Defense Health Agency (DHA) provides a general cost table, your specific regional contractor offers tools to track your current spending against your cap: * **East Region:** Humana Military * **West Region:** TriWest Healthcare Alliance (T-5 Contractor)

### 5. Pharmacy Costs Managed by **Express Scripts**, pharmacy costs are standard across all regions. In 2026, generic medications at retail pharmacies or through home delivery remain the most cost-effective, while brand-name drugs at retail pharmacies carry the highest copays.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members & Families:** Usually $0 out-of-pocket unless using Point of Service options. * **Retirees and their Families:** Subject to enrollment fees and cost-shares. * **National Guard & Reserve:** Members using TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) pay monthly premiums. * **Young Adults:** TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) users pay some of the highest monthly premiums in the system.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil Cost Tool:** https://www.tricare.mil/costs * **TriWest (West Region):** https://www.triwest.com * **Humana Military (East Region):** https://www.humanamilitary.com * **Express Scripts (Pharmacy):** https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com