Independent site. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to DoD, DHA, or the official TRICARE program. Visit the official TRICARE site.
TRICARE.comFind Care. With Confidence.
Homeguide

Independent guide

TRICARE Copays and Costs in 2026

How plan, beneficiary category, Group A or B, network status, and service type affect what you pay.

Last reviewed September 16, 2026 · Confirm time-sensitive details with the official program.

Official decisions come from TRICARE. This guide helps organize public information; verify eligibility, coverage, deadlines, costs, and contacts at TRICARE.mil.

Why there is no single TRICARE copay

What you pay can depend on your plan, beneficiary category, sponsor’s Group A or Group B status, whether the provider is in network, the type of service, and whether a deductible applies. Pharmacy and dental costs are separate from health-plan costs.

Use the official 2026 cost tables for your exact category. Do not rely on a single number copied from another beneficiary’s situation.

One example—not a universal rate

For 2026, the official costs briefing lists these network copays for retired service members, their families, and others using stateside TRICARE Prime: $26 for primary care, $39 for specialty care, and $79 for an emergency-room visit. Other categories and plans have different copays or percentage cost-shares.

A reliable way to check

  1. Identify the exact TRICARE plan.
  2. Identify the beneficiary category and Group A or B status.
  3. Confirm whether the provider and service are network or non-network.
  4. Check the official current-year cost table.
  5. Ask the regional contractor about the specific service when the table does not answer the question.

Official sources