Cost of TRICARE Standard & Select: 2026 Rates
**Note:** TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not an official government website. For the official TRICARE program and policy, please visit [TRICARE.mil](https://www.tricare.mil).
## Quick answer "TRICARE Standard" no longer exists. Effective January 1, 2018, TRICARE Standard (and TRICARE Extra) was replaced by **TRICARE Select**. If you are looking for the modern equivalent of "Standard" costs, you should look at the TRICARE Select fee schedules for 2026, which vary depending on whether the sponsor's initial enlistment date was before or after January 1, 2018.
## In detail While the name "Standard" is still used by many veterans and family members, the program is now officially **TRICARE Select**. It remains a self-managed, preferred provider organization (PPO) plan where you have the flexibility to see any authorized provider without a referral.
To understand your current costs, you must first identify your **Group**: * **Group A:** Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment date was before January 1, 2018. * **Group B:** Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment date was on or after January 1, 2018.
### Annual Enrollment Fees (2026) Unlike the old "Standard" plan, most beneficiaries (except active duty family members) now pay an annual enrollment fee. * **Group A Retirees:** Approximately $189.96/individual or $379.92/family (est. 2026 rates). * **Group B Retirees:** Approximately $564/individual or $1,128/family (est. 2026 rates). * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** No enrollment fee for either Group A or B.
### Deductibles and Cost-Shares Under the old Standard model, you paid a percentage of the cost. Under Select, you pay fixed copayments for most services when using network providers.
| Service Type (Network) | Group A Retirees (2026) | Group B Retirees (2026) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Annual Deductible** | $150 (Indiv) / $300 (Family) | $300 (Indiv) / $600 (Family) | | **Primary Care Visit** | ~$36 copay | ~$32 copay | | **Specialty Care Visit** | ~$50 copay | ~$45 copay | | **Emergency Room Visit** | ~$138 copay | ~$138 copay | | **Catastrophic Cap** | $3,000 / year | $4,354 / year |
*Note: Out-of-network care (formerly the "Standard" portion) typically involves a cost-share of 20% to 25% of the TRICARE allowable charge after the deductible is met.*
### Regional Contractors As of 2026, TRICARE Select is administered by two main contractors: * **East Region:** Humana Military. * **West Region:** TriWest Healthcare Alliance (T-5 Contract).
## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Family Members:** Those who prefer not to use TRICARE Prime and want the flexibility to choose their own doctors. * **Retired Service Members & Families:** Those under age 65 who are not yet eligible for Medicare/TRICARE For Life. * **Guard/Reserve Members:** Those on active duty for more than 30 days or those using TRICARE Reserve Select (which follows the Group B Select cost structure). * **Survivors:** Eligible family members of deceased service members.
Common scenarios
### 1. The Group A Retiree (East Region) Mark retired in 2010. He uses TRICARE Select (formerly Standard). For 2026, he pays an annual enrollment fee of roughly $190. When he visits a network specialist for his back pain, he pays a flat **$50 copay**, provided he has already met his $150 annual deductible.
### 2. The New Active Duty Spouse (West Region) Sarah married an active duty soldier in 2025 (Group B). She chooses TRICARE Select so she can keep her civilian OBGYN. She pays **$0 in annual enrollment fees**. When she sees her network doctor, she pays a **$0 copay** for preventive care, but will pay a fixed copay for other office visits once her $60 family deductible is met.
### 3. Out-of-Network Usage If a beneficiary sees a non-network provider (the classic "Standard" experience), they are responsible for **25% of the TRICARE allowable charge**, plus any "excess charges" up to 15% above the allowable amount if the doctor is non-participating.
## Related terms * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum out-of-pocket amount you pay each year for covered TRICARE services. * **Allowable Charge:** The maximum amount TRICARE will pay for a covered health care service. * **Cost-Share:** The percentage of the total cost of a covered health care service that you pay (typical for out-of-network). * **Copayment:** A fixed dollar amount you pay for a covered health care service (typical for network care). * **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS):** A premium-based plan for qualified Selected Reserve members that functions like TRICARE Select.
## Sources * TRICARE.mil: [TRICARE Select Overview](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans/TS) * Defense Health Agency: [2026 Cost Statistics](https://www.health.mil) * Humana Military (East): [https://www.humanamilitary.com/](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West): [https://www.triwest.com/](https://www.triwest.com/)