What is TFL? TRICARE For Life Explained (2026) | TRICARE.com

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## Definition TRICARE For Life (TFL) is Medicare-wraparound coverage for military retirees and their eligible dependents who are entitled to Medicare Part A and have Medicare Part B.

## What it means in practice TFL acts as a secondary payer to Medicare. When you visit a healthcare provider, Medicare pays its share first, and TRICARE For Life pays the remaining out-of-pocket costs (deductibles and coinsurance) for TRICARE-covered services. In most cases, if both Medicare and TRICARE cover a service, your out-of-pocket cost is $0. This coverage is automatic for those who meet the eligibility requirements; there are no enrollment forms or monthly TRICARE premiums, unlike TRICARE Prime or Select.

To keep TFL coverage, you must be "dual-eligible," meaning you are eligible for TRICARE and enrolled in Medicare Part B. If you fail to pay your Medicare Part B premiums, you lose your TFL coverage immediately. For services covered by TRICARE but not Medicare (such as some pharmacy benefits or care received overseas), TRICARE becomes the primary payer. In these instances, you are responsible for the applicable TRICARE deductible and cost-shares.

For 2026, TFL beneficiaries continue to use any Medicare-certified provider. Because TFL is administered by TRICARE's regional contractors—Humana Military in the East and TriWest Healthcare Alliance in the West—the claims process is largely seamless. Your provider files the claim with Medicare, and Medicare automatically forwards the remaining balance to TRICARE for processing.

If you are a retired service member living overseas (excluding U.S. territories), TFL functions differently because Medicare does not provide coverage outside the United States. In this scenario, TRICARE For Life becomes your primary insurance. You will generally have to pay the TRICARE Select deductible and cost-shares, and you may need to pay upfront and file for reimbursement through International SOS.

## Related terms * **Medicare Part B:** The portion of Medicare that covers physician services and outpatient care; it is a mandatory requirement for maintaining TFL. * **Dual-Eligible:** A beneficiary who qualifies for both Medicare and TRICARE coverage simultaneously. * **Sponsor:** The service member (active duty, retired, or deceased) whose military service establishes TRICARE eligibility for themselves and their family. * **DEERS:** The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System; the database used to verify TRICARE eligibility. * **T-5 Contract:** The fifth generation of TRICARE managed care contracts, which transitioned the West Region to TriWest Healthcare Alliance on January 1, 2025.

## Sources * TRICARE.mil: TRICARE For Life (https://www.tricare.mil/tfl) * Medicare.gov: Coordination of Benefits (https://www.medicare.gov) * Defense Health Agency: TRICARE For Life Cost Matrix (https://health.mil)