What is a TRICARE Supplement? Definition & 2026 Costs | TRICARE.com

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## Definition A TRICARE Supplement is an optional, private insurance plan purchased by beneficiaries to cover "leftover" out-of-pocket costs, such as cost-shares and deductibles, not paid by TRICARE.

## What it means in practice While TRICARE offers robust coverage, beneficiaries often face out-of-pocket expenses known as "cost-shares." For example, under TRICARE Select, a retiree might pay a 25% cost-share for an outpatient visit. If that visit costs $200, the beneficiary owes $50. A TRICARE Supplement is designed to pay that $50 balance, effectively reducing the beneficiary's out-of-pocket cost to zero after the supplement's own deductible is met.

These plans are not sold by the government; they are offered by private organizations like the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), the Air Force Association (AFA), and other military and veteran service organizations. Because the private supplement pays second (after TRICARE), it is often referred to as a "wraparound" plan. It typically covers the TRICARE deductible and the cost-shares for covered services, including inpatient stays and pharmacy copayments.

In terms of cost, participants pay a monthly premium to the private insurer. For 2026, these premiums vary based on age and the specific organization offering the plan, but generally range from $60 to $200 per month for a family. Whether a supplement is "worth it" depends on your healthcare utilization. If your annual TRICARE cost-shares are higher than the total cost of the supplement’s annual premiums and its separate deductible, the plan saves you money.

It is important to note that TRICARE Supplements do not cover "excess charges" from non-participating providers unless specified, and they generally do not cover services that TRICARE itself ignores. Active duty service members are not eligible for these plans because they have no out-of-pocket costs under TRICARE Prime; supplements are primarily targeted at retirees, their families, and certain Reserve members.

## Related terms * **Cost-Share:** The percentage of the total allowed amount a beneficiary pays for a covered service (similar to coinsurance). * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum out-of-pocket amount a family pays each calendar year for TRICARE-covered services. * **TRICARE Select:** A self-managed, preferred provider organization (PPO) plan that often has higher out-of-pocket costs than Prime, making it a common candidate for a supplement. * **Allowed Amount:** The maximum amount TRICARE will pay for a specific procedure or service, which the supplement uses to calculate its secondary payment. * **Other Health Insurance (OHI):** Any non-TRICARE health insurance you have; a TRICARE Supplement is technically a form of OHI that always pays last.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Using Other Health Insurance](https://www.tricare.mil/ohi) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [TRICARE Cost-Shares and Deductibles](https://www.tricare.mil/costs) * **Humana Military:** [Supplementing Your Coverage](https://www.humanamilitary.com)