TRICARE supplement

A TRICARE supplement is a private insurance policy that pays after TRICARE pays its share, reimbursing some of your out-of-pocket costs for civilian care.

Applies to: All TRICARE plans · All regions

A TRICARE supplement is a supplemental insurance policy sold by military associations and private companies. It is not a TRICARE plan and TRICARE does not offer it.

How it works

TRICARE’s page puts the difference this way: unlike other health insurance, which pays first, supplemental insurance pays after TRICARE pays its portion of the bill. It reimburses you for out-of-pocket medical expenses you paid to civilian providers.

Things to weigh

• Each supplemental plan has its own rules, so read the policy.
• TRICARE notes that in some cases, such as with TRICARE Prime, the cost of a supplemental plan may be more than your out-of-pocket expenses.
• TRICARE’s page includes a list of questions to ask before you buy.

Buying a supplement is a private decision between you and the insurer. TRICARE’s own supplemental insurance page is the place to start, and our cost comparison shows what the plans themselves cost.