TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Glossary & Guide | TRICARE.com

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## Definition TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) is a premium-based health plan for qualified members of the Selected Reserve and their families who are not eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.

## What it means in practice For most Selected Reserve members (National Guard and Reserve), TRICARE Reserve Select offers coverage that functions very similarly to TRICARE Select. Unlike active-duty plans, TRS requires the payment of monthly premiums. For the 2026 plan year, these premiums are approximately $51.95 for an individual and $256.46 for a family (note: rates are subject to annual adjustment by the Defense Health Agency).

In practice, this plan provides a "fee-for-service" model. You have the freedom to see any TRICARE-authorized provider, though you will pay lower out-of-pocket costs if you use a provider within the TRICARE network. You do not need a referral for most specialty care, but some services require prior authorization from your regional contractor (Humana Military in the East or TriWest Healthcare Alliance in the West).

Beneficiaries are responsible for an annual deductible and cost-shares (copayments) for medical services. For example, under 2026 rates for Group B members, a primary care visit at an in-network facility typically costs around $18–$20. Once the annual "Catastrophic Cap" is reached, TRICARE pays 100% of the allowable charge for covered services for the remainder of the year.

Enrollment is not automatic. To obtain coverage, eligible members must log in to the DMDC Reserve Component Managed Personnel System (RCMS) or the milConnect portal to schedule their initial premium payment and submit an enrollment request. If you leave the Selected Reserve or become eligible for FEHB, your TRS coverage will terminate.

## Related terms * **Selected Reserve:** A sub-category of the Ready Reserve consisting of units and individuals who participate in paid training and are the first to be mobilized. * **TRICARE Select:** The PPO-style plan for active-duty family members and retirees that serves as the blueprint for TRS coverage rules. * **Premium:** The monthly recurring cost a member pays to maintain TRICARE Reserve Select coverage, separate from copays. * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum out-of-pocket amount a family must pay for covered medical services in a calendar year. * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** The regional contractor responsible for managing the TRICARE West Region as of 2025.

## Sources * TRICARE.mil: TRICARE Reserve Select Overview (https://www.tricare.mil/trs) * Defense Health Agency: TRICARE Costs and Fees (https://www.tricare.mil/costs) * Humana Military: East Region Provider Portal (https://www.humanamilitary.com)