What Is TRICARE Extra? Legacy vs. Modern TRICARE Select | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer TRICARE Extra is a legacy health insurance option that no longer exists under that name. In 2018, TRICARE Extra was merged with TRICARE Standard to create the current **TRICARE Select** plan, which allows beneficiaries to see any TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral.

Details

### The Transition to TRICARE Select Effective January 1, 2018, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) overhauled the TRICARE program. Before this date, *Extra* functioned as a "Preferred Provider Organization" (PPO) option where patients could visit network doctors for lower cost-sharing than the *Standard* plan, but with more flexibility than the *Prime* plan. Today, if you are looking for the features of TRICARE Extra, you are looking for **TRICARE Select**.

### How it works today (2026) Under the current TRICARE Select model, the "Extra" functionality—specifically the discount for using network providers—is baked into the plan's cost structure. * **Network Providers:** You pay a lower copayment or coinsurance. * **Non-Network Providers:** You pay a higher coinsurance and may be subject to balance billing. * **Referrals:** Like the old Extra plan, TRICARE Select does not require a referral for most services, though some services may require prior authorization from your regional contractor (Humana Military in the East or TriWest in the West).

### Costs and Enrollment for 2026 Since TRICARE Extra is now TRICARE Select, costs are determined by the sponsor’s "Group" status: * **Group A:** Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment was before Jan. 1, 2018. * **Group B:** Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment was on or after Jan. 1, 2018.

For 2026, Group A retirees generally pay an annual enrollment fee (approximately $388.50 for individuals or $777 for families), whereas active duty family members (ADFMs) typically have no enrollment fee for Select. Individual visit costs vary based on whether the provider is in-network (the old "Extra" style) or out-of-network (the old "Standard" style).

### Contractors If you are enrolled in the modern version of this plan (Select), your care is managed by: * **East Region:** Humana Military * **West Region:** TriWest Healthcare Alliance (as of the T-5 contract transition) * **Pharmacy:** Express Scripts

## Who this affects The transition from TRICARE Extra to TRICARE Select primarily affects: * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Who prefer not to use the MTF-focused Prime plan. * **Retirees and their families:** Who want the flexibility to choose their own civilian doctors. * **Guard/Reserve Members:** Those on active duty orders for more than 30 days. * **Survivors:** Eligible family members of deceased service members.

*Note: Active duty service members (ADSMs) cannot use the Select/Extra model; they must remain enrolled in TRICARE Prime.*

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** TRICARE Select Plan Overview [https://www.tricare.mil/select](https://www.tricare.mil/select) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** TRICARE Cost Rates [https://www.health.mil](https://www.health.mil) * **Humana Military:** East Region Provider Network [https://www.humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** West Region Information [https://www.triwest.com](https://www.triwest.com)