TRICARE Deductible: 2026 Rates & How It Works | TRICARE.com

## Quick answer A TRICARE deductible is the fixed amount you pay out-of-pocket for covered medical services each calendar year before the insurance plan begins to pay. For 2026, deductibles vary significantly by your plan (Select vs. Prime) and your sponsor's status; Active Duty Service Members have no deductible, while TRICARE Select retirees may pay several hundred dollars depending on their "Group" status.

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Details

TRICARE deductibles reset every year on **January 1st**. The amount you owe depends on your beneficiary category (Group A vs. Group B) and the specific plan you are enrolled in.

### The "Group" System The deductible you pay is primarily determined by when the sponsor joined the military: * **Group A:** Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment was before January 1, 2018. * **Group B:** Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment was on or after January 1, 2018.

### TRICARE Prime Deductibles (2026) * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** $0 deductible. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** $0 deductible when using the Prime network with referrals. * **Retirees and their families:** $0 deductible for network care with referrals. * **Point-of-Service (POS) Option:** If you are on Prime but see a provider without a referral, you face a **POS deductible** (typically $300 for individuals / $600 for families in 2026).

### TRICARE Select Deductibles (2026) Select plans have an annual deductible that must be met before cost-sharing (copays/coinsurance) begins.

* **Active Duty Families (Group A):** Varies by rank. E-4 and below typically pay ~$60/individual or ~$121/family; E-5 and above pay ~$182/individual or ~$365/family (2026 rates). * **Active Duty Families (Group B):** ~$121/individual or ~$243/family. * **Retirees (Group A):** ~$182/individual or ~$365/family. * **Retirees (Group B):** Significantly higher, often ~$243/individual or ~$487/family for network care, and higher for out-of-network care.

### TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) and Retired Reserve (TRRR) These plans function like TRICARE Select. For 2026, TRS deductibles generally mirror the Group B Active Duty family rates, while TRR deductibles are higher, aligning with retiree Group B rates.

### What Counts Toward the Deductible? Only "covered" medical services (office visits, procedures, hospitalizations) apply toward the deductible. Monthly premiums and pharmacy copayments **do not** count toward your annual deductible, though pharmacy costs often count toward your **Catastrophic Cap**.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Family Members:** Impacted primarily if enrolled in TRICARE Select. * **Retirees and their Families:** Impacted by both Prime (POS fees) and Select annual deductibles. * **National Guard and Reservists:** Impacted by annual deductibles under TRS or TRR. * **Survivors:** Impacted based on the sponsor's original status and Group. * **TRICARE For Life (TFL) Users:** Impacted by the TFL/Medicare Part B deductible, usually matching the standard Medicare Part B deductible for the plan year.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Cost Terms and Definitions](https://www.tricare.mil/Costs/Cost-Terms) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [2026 TRICARE Costs and Fees](https://www.tricare.mil/costs) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** [West Region Beneficiary Costs](https://www.triwest.com) * **Humana Military:** [East Region Payments and Costs](https://www.humanamilitary.com)