Deductible
Quick Definition
Amount you pay before TRICARE starts cost-sharing.
Video Explanation
Full Definition
The deductible is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket for covered services each fiscal year before TRICARE begins paying its share. Deductibles apply to TRICARE Select but not to TRICARE Prime.
TRICARE Select deductibles (2024): • Active Duty Family Members: $171 individual / $342 family • All others (Group A retirees): $195 individual / $390 family • All others (Group B retirees): $221 individual / $442 family
Key points about deductibles: • Reset annually on October 1 (start of fiscal year) • Apply per individual until family maximum reached • Only covered services count toward deductible • Military Treatment Facility care doesn't require deductibles • Network providers result in lower overall costs
Example If your individual deductible is $195 and you have a $500 surgery, you pay the first $195, then TRICARE cost-sharing begins for the remaining $305.
TRICARE Prime members don't pay deductibles—one of the key cost advantages of Prime over Select. All deductible payments count toward your annual catastrophic cap.
Related Questions
How much does TRICARE cost?
Costs vary by plan and beneficiary status. Active duty members have no costs. Retirees and their families pay enrollment fees and cost-shares.
What TRICARE options are available for Reserve and National Guard members?
Reserve and Guard members have TRICARE Reserve Select when not activated, and regular TRICARE when on active duty orders over 30 days.
How does the TRICARE catastrophic cap work?
The catastrophic cap is your maximum annual out-of-pocket cost. Once reached, TRICARE pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the fiscal year.
What are the cost shares for TRICARE Select?
TRICARE Select has annual deductibles, percentage-based cost shares for most services, and a catastrophic cap that limits yearly out-of-pocket costs.
How do TRICARE deductibles work?
TRICARE Select has annual deductibles that must be met before cost sharing begins. Individual and family deductibles vary by beneficiary group.
Related Terms
Need more help?
Get instant answers about TRICARE terms and benefits from our AI Navigator
Ask the AI Navigator