TRICARE Childbirth Hospital Costs: 2026 Plan Guide
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## Quick answer For active duty families, childbirth in a military hospital or an in-network civilian hospital typically costs **$0**. Retirees and their family members usually pay a small daily subsistence charge or a fixed copayment depending on their specific TRICARE plan and beneficiary group.
Details
### Active Duty Families (TRICARE Prime) If you are an active duty family member (ADFM) enrolled in **TRICARE Prime**, your out-of-pocket cost for maternity care, including delivery and inpatient stay, is **$0** 2026 rates. This applies as long as you have a referral (if required) and use a network facility.
### TRICARE Select and Retirees Costs for TRICARE Select and TRICARE Prime retirees depend on your "Group" status: * **Group A:** You or your sponsor entered service before Jan. 1, 2018. * **Group B:** You or your sponsor entered service on or after Jan. 1, 2018.
**2026 Estimated Costs for Inpatient Maternity Stay:** * **ADFMs on TRICARE Select:** Group A pays approximately $25 per day (minimum $25 per admission); Group B pays a fixed copayment for the admission (varies by year — check TRICARE.mil for current 2026 rates). * **Retirees/Families on TRICARE Prime:** Usually pay a small per-diem (approx. $11–$30 per day). * **Retirees/Families on TRICARE Select:** Group A typically pays a percentage (20–25%) of the negotiated rate; Group B pays a set flat fee per admission.
### Newborn Enrollment Your baby is covered as a "Prime" beneficiary for the first 60 days (90 days if overseas). However, you **must officially enroll** the child in a TRICARE plan via the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) within 90 days of birth (120 days if overseas). If you miss this window, your baby will only be covered for care in a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) on a space-available basis, and civilian claims will be denied.
### Regional Contractors Management of these costs and network authorizations are handled by: * **East Region:** Humana Military. * **West Region:** TriWest Healthcare Alliance (T-5 Contractor).
### Edge Cases * **Home Births:** TRICARE only covers home births if performed by a TRICARE-certified nurse-midwife or a registered nurse. It does not cover "lay" midwives or unassisted births. * **Private Rooms:** TRICARE only pays for a private room if it is "medically necessary" (e.g., for isolation). If you request one for personal comfort and it isn't the facility's standard, you may be billed the difference. * **Epidurals:** These are covered as part of the inpatient delivery cost.
## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members & Families:** Usually $0 cost for all maternity care. * **Retirees & Families:** Subject to copays or daily subsistence fees. * **National Guard & Reserve:** Members on active duty orders or enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select. * **Survivors:** Costs vary by the sponsor's previous status and the survivor's current plan.
## Sources 1. **TRICARE.mil Maternity Care Costs:** https://www.tricare.mil/Costs/HealthPlanCosts/Maternity 2. **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region):** https://www.triwest.com 3. **Humana Military (East Region):** https://www.humanamilitary.com 4. **TRICARE Newborn Enrollment:** https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Baby/EnrollMobile