TRICARE Costs for Retirees: 2026 Rates and Fees | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer Retirees generally pay higher TRICARE costs than active duty families, including annual enrollment fees for Prime plans and higher per-visit copayments. Your specific costs depend on your "Group" (when you entered service) and whether you choose TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, or TRICARE For Life.

Details

### Identifying Your Cost Group TRICARE retiree costs are divided into two categories based on when you or your sponsor first joined the military: * **Group A:** Initial enlistment or appointment was **before** January 1, 2018. * **Group B:** Initial enlistment or appointment was **on or after** January 1, 2018.

### TRICARE Prime Costs (2026) TRICARE Prime is a managed care option. It has the lowest out-of-pocket costs at the point of service but requires an annual enrollment fee. * **Enrollment Fees (2026):** For Group A retirees, the annual fee is approximately $395.40 for an individual or $790.80 for a family. Group B retirees pay higher annual fees, approximately $543 for an individual or $1,086 for a family. * **Copayments:** Most network primary care visits for retirees are roughly $27–$35, while specialty visits are approximately $41–$53.

### TRICARE Select Costs (2026) Select is a PPO-style plan. It provides more flexibility to see non-network providers but carries an annual deductible. * **Enrollment Fees:** Retirees in Group A and Group B must pay an annual enrollment fee to maintain Select coverage. In 2026, Group A fees are roughly $196.50 (individual) / $393 (family). * **Deductibles:** You must meet a deductible (approximately $150–$200 for individuals) before TRICARE begins to pay for covered services. * **Catastrophic Cap:** This is the most you will pay out-of-pocket for covered services in a calendar year. For Group A retirees in 2026, the cap is $4,399. For Group B, it is approximately $4,630.

### TRICARE For Life (TFL) If you are a retiree with Medicare Part A and Part B, you are automatically covered by TRICARE For Life. * **Enrollment Fees:** There are $0 enrollment fees for TRICARE For Life. * **Premiums:** You must continue to pay your monthly Medicare Part B premiums to remain eligible. * **Costs:** TFL acts as a second payer to Medicare. For services covered by both, your out-of-pocket cost is typically $0.

### Pharmacy Costs All retirees (except those in the US Family Health Plan) use Express Scripts for pharmacy benefits. * **Generic (Retail):** ~$17 for a 30-day supply. * **Brand (Home Delivery):** ~$34 for a 90-day supply. * **Non-Network Pharmacy:** You pay the full price until your deductible is met, then a percentage.

## Who this affects * **Retired Service Members:** Including those from Active Component and Reserve Component (after age 60). * **Retired Family Members:** Spouses and eligible children of retirees. * **Medically Retired Members:** Those placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL). * **Survivors:** Spouses and children of deceased retirees.

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