TRICARE Select Guide: 2026 Costs and Coverage Details | TRICARE.com

TRICARE Select is a self-managed, preferred provider organization (PPO) plan for military members and families. It offers the most freedom of choice in doctors without needing a referral, but requires you to pay annual deductibles and per-visit copayments.

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense or the official TRICARE program. For official policy and real-time enrollment, visit TRICARE.mil.*

In detail

TRICARE Select is the primary alternative to the Prime (HMO-style) plans. It is available to beneficiaries living in the United States and is managed by **Humana Military** in the East Region and **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** in the West Region.

### How It Works Under Select, you do not have a Primary Care Manager (PCM). You can visit any TRICARE-authorized provider (network or non-network) without a referral. However, your out-of-pocket costs are significantly lower if you use a **network provider**.

### 2026 Cost Structure Costs for TRICARE Select depend on whether the sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment was before or after January 1, 2018.

* **Group A:** Sponsor joined before Jan. 1, 2018. * **Group B:** Sponsor joined on or after Jan. 1, 2018.

#### Key 2026 Figures (Estimated/Standard) | Feature | Group A (Retirees) | Group B (Retirees) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Annual Enrollment Fee** | ~$190 (Indiv) / ~$385 (Fam) | ~$570 (Indiv) / ~$1,140 (Fam) | | **Annual Deductible** | $150 (Indiv) / $300 (Fam) | $200 (Indiv) / $400 (Fam) | | **Primary Care Copay** | $37 (Network) | $32 (Network) | | **Specialty Care Copay** | $50 (Network) | $49 (Network) | | **Catastrophic Cap** | $4,153 | $4,388 |

*Note: Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs) typically pay $0 in enrollment fees for TRICARE Select but still face deductibles and cost-shares.*

### Network vs. Non-Network * **Network:** The provider has a contract with Humana Military or TriWest. You pay a fixed copayment. * **Non-Network (Participating):** The provider doesn't have a contract but agrees to file claims with TRICARE. You pay a percentage of the "allowable charge" (cost-share). * **Non-Network (Non-Participating):** These providers may charge up to 15% above the TRICARE-allowable amount. You are responsible for this extra balance (balance billing).

Who this applies to

TRICARE Select is available to the following groups when living in a U.S. region:

* **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Provides flexibility to see civilian specialists without a PCM referral. * **Retired Service Members & Families:** The standard "Space-A" coverage for those not using TRICARE For Life. * **National Guard/Reserve Members:** Available to those on active duty orders for more than 30 days. (Note: Guard/Reserve members not on orders use **TRICARE Reserve Select**, which functions similarly). * **Survivors and Medal of Honor Recipients:** Eligible under specific category rules.

*Note: Active duty service members (ADSMs) **cannot** use TRICARE Select; they must be enrolled in TRICARE Prime.*

Common scenarios

### Scenario 1: The Specialist Choice Jane is an ADFM in the West Region (TriWest) enrolled in TRICARE Select. She wants to see a specific dermatologist who is in the TRICARE network but has no relationship with the local military hospital. Jane books the appointment directly. Because she has met her 2026 deductible, she pays a flat $32 copay for the specialist visit and requires no referral from a primary doctor.

### Scenario 2: The Non-Network Emergency Mark is a Group A retiree in the East Region (Humana). He visits a non-network "participating" urgent care center. The allowable charge is $100. Because he is on Select, his cost-share is 25% of the allowable charge. He pays $25 out of pocket, and TRICARE pays the remaining $75.

### Scenario 3: The Group B Family A young Army family (Sponsor joined in 2022) uses TRICARE Select. They pay $0 in monthly enrollment fees. However, at the start of 2026, they must pay for their first $116 (individual) or $232 (family) in outpatient services out-of-pocket to satisfy their deductible before TRICARE begins paying its share.

Related terms

* **Point of Service (POS) Option:** An expensive feature of TRICARE Prime that allows non-referral care; Select users avoid this by paying lower standard cost-shares instead. * **TRICARE Allowable Charge:** The maximum amount TRICARE will pay for a specific medical service. * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum out-of-pocket amount you will pay per year for covered services. * **Qualifying Life Event (QLE):** A change like marriage or birth that allows you to switch between TRICARE Select and Prime outside of Open Season. * **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS):** A premium-based plan for qualified Selected Reserve members that mirrors the TRICARE Select coverage structure.

Sources

* **TRICARE.mil Select Overview:** https://www.tricare.mil/select * **Humana Military (East):** https://www.humanamilitary.com/ * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West):** https://www.triwest.com/ * **Defense Health Agency (DHA) Cost Factors:** https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Access-Cost-Quality-and-Safety/TRICARE-Health-Plan/Cost-Shares