TRICARE is the healthcare program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families, covering over 9.6 million beneficiaries worldwide. It offers several plan options including TRICARE Prime (managed care/HMO), TRICARE Select (PPO-style), TRICARE For Life (Medicare supplement for retirees 65+), and specialized plans for reserves, young adults, and overseas beneficiaries.
10 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Process
- Verify DEERS enrollment — All beneficiaries must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS); sponsors update DEERS through their personnel office or at an ID card ...
- Understand your beneficiary category — Active duty, active-duty family member, retiree, retiree family member, Reserve/Guard member, Reserve/Guard family member, or survivor; your category determin...
- Compare plan options:
- TRICARE Prime HMO-style managed care; assigned Primary Care Manager (PCM); referrals required for specialists; lowest out-of-pocket costs; active duty must use Prime
- TRICARE Select PPO-style; choose your own providers; no referral needed for network providers; higher cost shares than Prime
- TRICARE For Life Wrap-around coverage for Medicare-eligible retirees (65+); Medicare pays first, TRICARE covers remaining costs
- TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Available to Selected Reserve members not on active duty; requires premium payment
- TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) Covers dependents ages 21-26 (or 23-26 if previously covered as a student); requires premium
- Enroll during the open enrollment period — Annual open season runs mid-November through mid-December; changes take effect January 1
- Enroll through milConnect — Go to milConnect.dmdc.osd.mil, select the Benefits tab, then Beneficiary Web Enrollment; or call your regional contractor
Common Mistakes
- Not enrolling during open season
- Using out-of-network providers under Prime
- Forgetting to update DEERS
- Not enrolling in Medicare Part B at 65
- Assuming TRICARE covers everything
Pro Tips
- MTF pharmacy is free
- TRICARE Express Scripts home delivery
- Transitional healthcare after separation
- CHCBP bridges coverage gaps
- TRICARE overseas works differently