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What are the main differences between all TRICARE plans?
Verified by TRICARE.com Editorial Team
Updated 2024-12-01
AI-assisted (gemini)
Quick Answer
TRICARE offers Prime, Select, For Life, Reserve Select, Retired Reserve, and Young Adult plans with varying costs, networks, and eligibility requirements.
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Key Takeaways
- Prime has lowest costs but requires PCM
- Select offers more flexibility
- TFL wraps around Medicare at 65
- Reserve/Young Adult are premium-based
Detailed Answer
TRICARE provides multiple health plan options tailored to different beneficiary groups.
TRICARE Prime
- Managed care (HMO-style)
- Requires Primary Care Manager
- Lowest out-of-pocket costs
- Active duty enrolled automatically
TRICARE Select
- Self-managed (PPO-style)
- No PCM required
- More provider flexibility
- Higher cost shares than Prime
TRICARE For Life
- Medicare wraparound coverage
- For Medicare-entitled beneficiaries
- No enrollment fee
- TRICARE pays after Medicare
TRICARE Reserve Select
- For Selected Reserve members
- Premium-based coverage
- Same benefits as Select
- Affordable family coverage
TRICARE Retired Reserve
- For "gray area" retirees under 60
- Premium-based coverage
- Coverage until retirement pay begins
TRICARE Young Adult
- For adult children 21-26
- Premium-based coverage
- Prime or Select options
Related TRICARE Terms
Related Questions
What is the difference between TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select?
TRICARE Prime is a managed care option with a primary care manager and lower costs. TRICARE Select offers more flexibility to choose providers with higher out-of-pocket expenses.
What is TRICARE For Life and who qualifies?
TRICARE For Life is Medicare wraparound coverage for TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries age 65+ who have Medicare Parts A and B.
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