Costs by Plan (2026)
TRICARE Prime
Active duty family members
Monthly Premium
$0/month
Annual Deductible
$0
Catastrophic Cap
$1,000/year
- No monthly premiums
- No annual deductible
- Low or no copays
- Must use network providers with referrals
TRICARE Prime (Retiree)
Retirees & families under 65
Monthly Premium
$33.43/month (individual) or $66.85/month (family)
Annual Deductible
$0
Catastrophic Cap
$3,500/year
- Monthly enrollment fee required
- No annual deductible
- Low copays for network care
- PCM required for referrals
TRICARE Select (AD Family)
Active duty family members
Monthly Premium
$0/month
Annual Deductible
$150/individual or $300/family (E-5+)
Catastrophic Cap
$1,000/year
- No monthly premiums
- Annual deductible applies
- No referral needed
- Can see any TRICARE-authorized provider
TRICARE Select (Retiree)
Retirees & families under 65
Monthly Premium
$0/month
Annual Deductible
$150/individual or $300/family
Catastrophic Cap
$3,500/year
- No monthly premiums
- Annual deductible applies
- Higher copays than Prime
- Freedom to choose providers
TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)
Selected Reserve members & families
Monthly Premium
$50.99/month (member) or $253.06/month (family)
Annual Deductible
$150/individual or $300/family
Catastrophic Cap
$3,500/year
- Premium-based plan
- Same benefits as TRICARE Select
- Available to qualifying Guard/Reserve
- No referral requirement
TRICARE For Life
Medicare-eligible retirees (65+)
Monthly Premium
$0/month (Medicare Part B premium required)
Annual Deductible
$150/individual or $300/family
Catastrophic Cap
$3,500/year
- No TRICARE premium
- Must pay Medicare Part B premium
- Medicare pays first, TRICARE pays remainder
- Worldwide coverage
TRICARE Young Adult (TYA)
Adult children ages 21-26
Monthly Premium
$257/month (Prime) or $203/month (Select)
Annual Deductible
Same as parent's plan type
Catastrophic Cap
$3,500/year
- For dependents who age out of regular TRICARE
- Separate premium from parent's coverage
- Choose Prime or Select option
What's Free with TRICARE
Common Questions
Is TRICARE free for active duty?
Yes. Active duty service members pay $0 for all covered medical care, $0 for prescriptions (MTF and mail order), and have no monthly premiums. This is one of the best benefits of military service.
How much does TRICARE cost for military families?
Active duty families pay $0 in monthly premiums for both Prime and Select. Copays vary by plan — Prime has lower copays but requires referrals, Select has higher copays but more freedom to choose providers.
Do retirees pay for TRICARE?
Retirees under 65 can choose Prime (with monthly enrollment fees of ~$33-67/month) or Select (no premium). Retirees 65+ use TRICARE For Life which has no TRICARE premium but requires Medicare Part B enrollment and its premium.
What is the catastrophic cap?
The catastrophic cap is the maximum amount you'll pay out of pocket in a calendar year. Once reached, TRICARE covers 100% of covered services. It's $1,000 for active duty families and $3,500 for retirees and Reserve members.
How do TRICARE costs compare to civilian health insurance?
TRICARE is significantly more affordable than most civilian plans. Active duty families pay $0 in premiums. Even retiree plans cost far less than comparable civilian coverage, with lower deductibles and catastrophic caps.