2026 TRICARE Rates Summary: Coverage, Costs & Fees

## Quick answer As of 2026, TRICARE costs are determined by your plan type (Select vs. Prime) and when the sponsor first joined the military. Those who joined before 2018 (Group A) generally face lower annual enrollment fees than those who joined after (Group B), though both groups see annual inflation adjustments to their catastrophic caps and copayments.

## In detail Understanding your 2026 costs requires knowing your **Beneficiary Group**. * **Group A:** Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment was before January 1, 2018. * **Group B:** Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment was on or after January 1, 2018.

### TRICARE Prime (2026 Rates) TRICARE Prime remains the lowest out-of-pocket option for active duty families, who pay $0 for all covered care. For retirees and their families: * **Annual Enrollment Fees (Group A):** Approximately $380 for individuals / $760 for families (estimated 2026 figures based on annual cost-of-living adjustments). * **Annual Enrollment Fees (Group B):** Approximately $520 for individuals / $1,040 for families. * **Copayments:** Retirees and their families typically pay a fixed copayment for specialty visits (approx. $38–$45) and urgent care (approx. $35).

### TRICARE Select (2026 Rates) Select offers more flexibility in choosing doctors but includes an annual deductible and higher cost-shares. * **Enrollment Fees:** Active duty families pay $0. Group A retirees pay approximately $190/individual or $380/family. Group B retirees pay significantly higher fees (approx. $570/individual). * **Deductibles:** * **Active Duty Family (E4 & below):** $60 individual / $121 family. * **Active Duty Family (E5 & above):** $182 individual / $365 family. * **Retirees (Group A):** $182 individual / $365 family. * **Cost-Shares:** Usually 15%–25% of the TRICARE-allowable amount after the deductible is met.

### Pharmacy Costs (Express Scripts) Pharmacy rates are standardized across all plans (except for Active Duty Service Members, who pay $0). * **Generic (Retail):** $16 (90-day supply not available at retail). * **Brand Name (Mail Order):** $38 for a 90-day supply. * **Non-Network Pharmacy:** Full cost up front; partial reimbursement possible.

### Catastrophic Caps This is the most you will pay out-of-pocket for covered services in a calendar year. * **Active Duty Families:** $1,000–$1,288 depending on Group A/B. * **Retirees (Group A):** ~$4,300. * **Retirees (Group B):** ~$4,500+.

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Families:** Do not pay enrollment fees; costs are primarily via pharmacy or small copays if using TRICARE Select. * **Retirees & Survivors:** Must pay annual enrollment fees to maintain coverage for Prime or Select. * **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) / Retired Reserve (TRR) Members:** Pay monthly premiums instead of annual enrollment fees. * **Young Adults:** Transitioning to TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) face the highest monthly premiums as these are not government-subsidized.

## Common scenarios * **Scenario 1: The Group A Retiree.** John retired in 2012. He uses TRICARE Prime. In 2026, he pays roughly $760 in annual enrollment fees for his family. When he visits a specialist, he pays a $38 copay. * **Scenario 2: The Group B Active Duty Spouse.** Sarah’s husband joined the Army in 2020. She uses TRICARE Select. She pays $0 in enrollment fees. However, when she visits a non-network civilian doctor, she pays 20% of the bill until she hits her family's $1,288 catastrophic cap. * **Scenario 3: The Pharmacy User.** Mike needs a brand-name maintenance medication. By using Express Scripts home delivery, he pays a $38 copay for a 90-day supply in 2026, saving him over $100 compared to three separate fills at a retail pharmacy.

## Related terms * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum out-of-pocket amount you pay each year for covered TRICARE services. * **Cost-Share:** A percentage of the total cost of a covered health care service that you pay (typical for Select). * **Enrollment Fee:** An annual fee retirees must pay to remain enrolled in certain TRICARE plans. * **Group A:** Beneficiaries whose sponsor entered service before Jan. 1, 2018. * **T-5 Contract:** The 2025–2026 regional contract transition that moved West Region management to TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil Costs:** https://www.tricare.mil/costs * **Humana Military (East):** https://www.humanamilitary.com/ * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West):** https://www.triwest.com/ * **Express Scripts Pharmacy:** https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/

*Disclaimer: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not an official government or DoD entity. For official policy and the most current rate changes, visit TRICARE.mil.*