TRICARE Costs Comparison Tool & 2026 Fee Guide | TRICARE.com

*Disclaimer: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense or the official TRICARE program. For official policy and enrollment, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Quick answer TRICARE provides an official Compare Costs tool at TRICARE.mil that allows you to side-by-side evaluate enrollment fees, deductibles, and pharmacy copays across different plans. Costs vary significantly based on your status (Active Duty vs. Retiree) and whether you entered service before or after January 1, 2018.

Details

Pricing for TRICARE is not "one size fits all." To use a cost comparison tool effectively, you must first identify your **Group**.

### Understanding Group A vs. Group B * **Group A:** You or your sponsor enlisted or were appointed before January 1, 2018. * **Group B:** You or your sponsor enlisted or were appointed on or after January 1, 2018.

Group B beneficiaries typically face higher enrollment fees and different deductible structures than Group A.

### 2026 Key Cost Comparisons While the official calculator provides exact figures based on your specific situation, here are the benchmark costs for 2026 across major plans:

* **TRICARE Prime (Retirees):** Retirees in Group A typically pay an annual enrollment fee (approximately $380–$390 for individuals in 2026), whereas Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) and their families pay $0 in enrollment fees. * **TRICARE Select (Retirees):** Group A retirees must pay an annual enrollment fee (roughly $180–$190 for individuals in 2026). Group B retirees face higher fees. * **Catastrophic Caps:** This is the most you will pay out-of-pocket for covered services in a calendar year. For 2026, the cap for Active Duty families is generally $1,000, while for retirees, it can exceed $4,000 depending on the plan and group.

### Regional Contractors (2025–2026 T-5 Transition) When calculating costs, your region dictates your point of contact for billing: * **TRICARE East:** Managed by Humana Military. * **TRICARE West:** Managed by **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** (as of January 1, 2025).

### Pharmacy Costs The pharmacy comparison remains consistent regardless of your region, as it is managed by **Express Scripts**. 2026 copays typically range from $16 for a 90-day supply of generic maintenance drugs via home delivery to $68+ for non-formulary drugs.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Families:** Comparing Prime vs. Select for flexibility/out-of-pocket costs. * **Retirees and their Families:** Managing enrollment fees and catastrophic caps. * **National Guard & Reserve:** Comparing TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) to civilian employer plans. * **Young Adults:** Comparing TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) premiums to other options.

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