TRICARE Supplemental Health Insurance Explained | TRICARE.com

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## Definition Supplemental health insurance is an optional, private insurance policy that you purchase to cover out-of-pocket costs not paid by TRICARE, such as copayments, cost-shares, and deductibles.

## What it means in practice For most TRICARE beneficiaries, "supplemental" insurance is a secondary layer of coverage designed to eliminate the "leftover" bills. TRICARE typically covers the majority of medical costs, but depending on your plan (such as TRICARE Select) and your beneficiary status (Group A or Group B), you may still face significant cost-shares. A supplemental plan—often offered by military associations like MOAA, AFBA, or ROA—steps in to pay those specific amounts.

For example, in 2026, a TRICARE Select Group A retiree might face a fixed copayment for an office visit or a 20% cost-share for specialized procedures. If that beneficiary has a supplemental policy, the provider bills TRICARE first. TRICARE pays its portion, and the remaining balance is then sent to the supplemental insurer. In many cases, this results in $0 out-of-pocket for the patient at the point of service.

It is important to distinguish supplemental insurance from **Other Health Insurance (OHI)**. OHI, such as a plan provided by a civilian employer, is technically "primary" to TRICARE. A TRICARE Supplement, however, is specifically designed to be "secondary" or "tertiary" and only pays after TRICARE has processed the claim. These plans generally do not cover services that TRICARE excludes (like cosmetic surgery); they only cover the cost-sharing for TRICARE-covered services.

Before purchasing a supplement, beneficiaries should calculate their "Catastrophic Cap." For 2026, if your family's annual out-of-pocket costs are consistently lower than the annual premium of the supplemental plan, the insurance may not be cost-effective. However, for those with chronic conditions or frequent specialist visits, it provides financial predictability.

## Related terms * **Other Health Insurance (OHI):** Any non-TRICARE health insurance you have through an employer or private purchase that pays before TRICARE. * **Cost-Share:** The percentage of the total cost of a covered health care service you pay after you have met your deductible. * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum out-of-pocket amount you or your family pays for TRICARE-covered services each calendar year. * **TRICARE For Life (TFL):** Medicare-wraparound coverage for TRICARE beneficiaries who have Medicare Part A and B; TFL often acts like a supplement. * **Deductible:** A fixed amount you must pay out-of-pocket each year before TRICARE begins to pay for covered services.

## Sources * TRICARE.mil: Other Health Insurance - https://www.tricare.mil/ohi * Defense Health Agency: TRICARE Cost Terms - https://tricare.mil/Costs/CostTerms * Humana Military: Coordination of Benefits - https://www.humanamilitary.com/beneficiary/claims/coordination-of-benefits/