TRICARE Deductibles Explained: 2026 Rates & Rules | TRICARE.com

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program. For official policy and the most current data, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Quick answer A TRICARE deductible is the fixed amount you pay out-of-pocket for covered medical services each calendar year before the government begins to pay its share. These amounts vary significantly based on your specific plan, your sponsor's military status, and whether you are in Group A or Group B.

## Details TRICARE runs on a calendar year (January 1 – December 31). Once you "meet" your deductible, you only pay a cost-share or copayment for the remainder of the year until you hit the Catastrophic Cap.

### Deductibles by Plan Type (2026 Rates) Deductibles are generally split into "Individual" and "Family" tiers. Once the family deductible is met, the plan pays for all covered members, even if individuals haven't met their personal totals.

* **TRICARE Prime:** There are **no deductibles** for active duty service members or their families. Retirees using Prime also typically do not have a deductible unless they use the Point-of-Service (POS) option. * **TRICARE Select (Group A):** For sponsors who entered service before Jan. 1, 2018. * *Active Duty Families (E1-E4):* $50 individual / $100 family. * *Active Duty Families (E5 and above):* $150 individual / $300 family. * *Retirees:* $150 individual / $300 family. * **TRICARE Select (Group B):** For sponsors who entered service on or after Jan. 1, 2018. * *Active Duty Families:* $64 individual / $128 family (estimated 2026 inflation-adjusted rates; check TRICARE.mil for exact decimal figures). * *Retirees:* Approximately $192 individual / $385 family (2026 rates).

### The Point-of-Service (POS) Deductible If you are enrolled in a Prime plan but see a provider without a referral (when one was required), you trigger the Point-of-Service option. This carries a specific deductible that is **separate** from your regular plan deductible: * $300 for individuals * $600 for families

### Pharmacy Deductibles There is typically no deductible for the TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery (Express Scripts) or retail pharmacy network. You simply pay the applicable copay. However, if you are using TRICARE Select overseas, a deductible may apply to medical and pharmacy claims combined.

### Group A vs. Group B * **Group A:** Sponsor enlisted or was appointed before January 1, 2018. * **Group B:** Sponsor enlisted or was appointed on or after January 1, 2018. Group B beneficiaries generally have higher deductibles but may have different enrollment fee structures.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Primarily those on TRICARE Select or using Prime POS. * **Retirees and their Families:** Applies to both Prime (POS) and Select users. * **National Guard & Reserve:** Members using TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) or TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR). * **Survivors:** Dependent on the sponsor's status and the survivor's chosen plan.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Cost Terms Explained](https://www.tricare.mil/Costs/Cost-Terms) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [Compare Costs Tool](https://www.tricare.mil/comparecosts) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** [West Region Beneficiary Costs](https://www.triwest.com/) * **Humana Military:** [East Region Payment Information](https://www.humanamilitary.com/)