Benefits of TRICARE Standard (Now TRICARE Select)
*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with the official TRICARE program or the Department of Defense. For official policy and the most current enrollment data, visit TRICARE.mil.*
## Quick answer "TRICARE Standard" was a legacy fee-for-service plan that has been replaced by **TRICARE Select**. Under the current system, the primary benefits include the freedom to see any TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral and the ability to manage your own healthcare without a Primary Care Manager (PCM) assignment.
In detail
As of January 1, 2018, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) consolidated TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra into a single program called **TRICARE Select**. If you are looking for the benefits formerly associated with "Standard," you are now looking at the Select plan.
### 1. Freedom of Provider Choice The hallmark benefit of this plan is autonomy. Unlike TRICARE Prime, which requires you to see a specific military or network doctor, Select allows you to visit: * **Network Providers:** You pay lower cost-shares and the provider files claims for you. * **Non-Network Providers:** You can see any state-licensed, TRICARE-authorized provider. You may have to pay up-front and file your own claims, and costs are generally higher (up to 15% above the TRICARE-allowable charge).
### 2. No Referrals Required Inほとんど instances, you do not need a referral for specialty care. If you want to see a dermatologist, cardiologist, or physical therapist, you simply make the appointment. *Note: Some services, like Applied Behavior Analysis or certain high-cost procedures, may still require pre-authorization.*
### 3. Cost-Sharing Structure (2026 Rates) Costs for TRICARE Select depend on whether the sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment was before or after January 1, 2018 (Group A vs. Group B).
| Benefit Category | Group A (Sponsor service < 2018) | Group B (Sponsor service ≥ 2018) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Annual Enrollment Fee** | ~$190 (Individual) / ~$380 (Family) | ~$560 (Individual) / ~$1,120 (Family) | | **Annual Deductible** | $150 (E4 & below) / $300 (E5+) | $60 (E4 & below) / $121 (E5+) | | **Primary Care Copay** | $37 (Network) | $32 (Network) | | **Specialty Care Copay** | $50 (Network) | $45 (Network) | | **ER Visit** | $105 (Network) | $51 (Network) |
*Note: Figures are estimated for the 2026 plan year based on annual inflationary adjustments from the Defense Health Agency. Always check the official TRICARE.mil cost tool for exact 2026 cents-on-the-dollar totals.*
### 4. Space-Available MTF Access While Select users primarily use civilian doctors, they can still seek care at Military Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) on a "space-available" basis. However, priority is always given to Active Duty service members and TRICARE Prime enrollees.
## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Those who prefer civilian doctors over military clinics. * **Retirees and their Families:** Most retirees choose Select to maintain continuity of care with providers they have seen for years. * **National Guard/Reserve Members:** Those on active duty for more than 30 days or those using TRICARE Reserve Select (which functions identically to the Select/Standard model). * **Geographically Dispersed Families:** Those living in "Remote" areas where no MTF or Prime network exists.
Common scenarios
### Scenario 1: The Specialty Specialist Jane is an Army spouse (Group A) living in the TriWest (West) region. She wants to see a specific civilian endocrinologist who is not in the TRICARE network. Because she is on **TRICARE Select**, she makes the appointment directly. She pays her $300 annual deductible (2026 rates), then pays a 25% cost-share of the TRICARE-allowable amount plus up to 15% in "balance billing" because the provider is non-network.
### Scenario 2: The Routine Checkup Mark is a Navy retiree (Group B) living in the Humana Military (East) region. He sees a **Network** primary care doctor. In 2026, he pays his fixed enrollment fee monthly and a $32 copay for a routine office visit. He does not need a referral from a PCM to see his doctor.
## Related terms * **TRICARE Select:** The modern replacement for TRICARE Standard and Extra. * **TRICARE Authorized Provider:** A doctor or facility that meets TRICARE's licensing and certification requirements. * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum out-of-pocket amount a family pays per year for covered services. * **Point-of-Service (POS) Option:** A feature of TRICARE Prime (not Select) that allows users to see non-network doctors but at a much higher cost. * **T-5 Contract:** The 2025/2026 regional contract transition that moved West Region management to TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
## Sources * TRICARE Select Overview: [https://www.tricare.mil/select](https://www.tricare.mil/select) * Compare TRICARE Plans: [https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/ComparePlans](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/ComparePlans) * TRICARE Cost Search Tool: [https://www.tricare.mil/costs](https://www.tricare.mil/costs)