TRICARE Prime vs Select: 2026 Comparison & Costs | TRICARE.com

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## Bottom line **TRICARE Prime** is the winner for **lowest cost**, offering $0 out-of-pocket costs for active duty families and the lowest catastrophic caps. **TRICARE Select** is the winner for **most flexibility and best for families** who want to keep their own civilian doctors without needing a referral. For **retirees**, Select offers more freedom at a higher cost, while Prime remains the budget-friendly choice for those living near military installations.

## Side-by-side comparison (2026 Rates) Costs below reflect **Group A** (Enlisted/Commissioned before Jan 1, 2018). Rates for Group B are typically higher.

| Feature | TRICARE Prime | TRICARE Select | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Eligibility** | ADSMs (Required), ADFMs, Retirees | ADFMs, Retirees, Medal of Honor recipients | | **Enrollment Fee (Retirees)** | ~$392/indiv, ~$784/family (2026) | ~$190/indiv, ~$380/family (2026) | | **Annual Deductible** | None | $150/indiv, $300/family (Varies by rank) | | **Primary Care Copay** | $0 (ADFM) / ~$28 (Retiree) | ~$31–$40 (Network) | | **Specialist Copay** | $0 (ADFM) / ~$41 (Retiree) | ~$53–$65 (Network) | | **ER Copay** | $0 (ADFM) / ~$82 (Retiree) | ~$115–$151 (Network) | | **Pharmacy Tier Copays** | $16 (Brand), $13 (Generic retail) | $16 (Brand), $13 (Generic retail) | | **Referrals Required** | Yes, for all specialty care | No | | **Network Restrictions** | Must use MTF or Network Doctors | Use any TRICARE-authorized provider | | **Catastrophic Cap** | $1,000 (ADFM) / $4,300 (Retiree) | $1,000 (ADFM) / $4,400+ (Retiree) |

*Note: Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) always have $0 out-of-pocket costs and must enroll in Prime.*

## When to choose each ### Choose TRICARE Prime if... You reside near a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) and want to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. It functions like an HMO; you are assigned a Primary Care Manager (PCM) who coordinates all your care. This is the best choice for families on a tight budget who don't mind the administrative hurdle of obtaining referrals for every specialist visit.

### Choose TRICARE Select if... You value choice and autonomy over cost-savings. It functions like a PPO; you do not need a referral to see a specialist, and you can see any TRICARE-authorized provider. This is ideal for families with established relationships with civilian doctors, those living far from a military base, or those who find the referral process too slow for their medical needs.

## Switching between them You cannot switch between Prime and Select whenever you choose. There are only two windows for making changes: 1. **TRICARE Open Season:** This occurs annually from mid-November to mid-December. Changes made during this time take effect on January 1st of the following year. 2. **Qualifying Life Events (QLEs):** If you experience a major change—such as marriage, birth of a child, retirement from active duty, or moving to a new zip code—you have 90 days from the date of the event to switch plans.

Starting in 2025, West Region beneficiaries will manage these changes through **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**, while East Region beneficiaries continue with **Humana Military**.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil Plan Comparison:** [https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/ComparePlans](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/ComparePlans) * **TRICARE 2026 Costs:** [https://www.tricare.mil/Costs](https://www.tricare.mil/Costs) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region):** [https://www.triwest.com](https://www.triwest.com) * **Humana Military (East Region):** [https://www.humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com)