Compare TRICARE Plans
Find the right TRICARE plan for your military family. Compare costs, coverage, and eligibility across all TRICARE health plans to make an informed decision about your healthcare.
TRICARE Prime
Lowest costs with managed care
TRICARE Prime is a managed care option similar to a civilian HMO. You get a primary care manager (PCM) who coordinates your care and provides referrals to specialists. Active duty service members are automatically enrolled.
Key Costs
Eligibility
- Active duty service members (ADSMs) - automatically enrolled
- Active duty family members (ADFMs)
- +3 more...
TRICARE Select
Flexibility to choose your doctors
TRICARE Select is a self-managed, preferred-provider option that gives you more freedom to see any TRICARE-authorized provider without referrals. You pay more for this flexibility, especially if you go outside the network.
Key Costs
Eligibility
- Active duty family members (ADFMs)
- Retired service members under 65
- +3 more...
TRICARE Reserve Select
Premium-based coverage for Selected Reserve
TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) is a premium-based health plan for qualified members of the Selected Reserve and their families. It provides comprehensive coverage similar to TRICARE Select.
Key Costs
Eligibility
- Selected Reserve members not on active duty orders
- National Guard members in the Selected Reserve
- +1 more...
TRICARE Retired Reserve
Coverage for gray-area retirees
TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) provides premium-based TRICARE coverage for Retired Reserve members and their families who are not yet eligible for regular military retiree coverage.
Key Costs
Eligibility
- Retired Reserve members under age 60
- Retired National Guard members under 60
- +2 more...
TRICARE For Life
Medicare wraparound for 65+
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is Medicare wraparound coverage for military retirees, their families, and survivors who have Medicare Part A and Part B. It acts as a second payer after Medicare, covering most remaining costs.
Key Costs
Eligibility
- Military retirees age 65 or older
- Retired family members 65+ with Medicare Parts A & B
- +2 more...
TRICARE Young Adult
Coverage for adult children up to 26
TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) is a premium-based health plan that allows qualified adult children to purchase TRICARE coverage until age 26, similar to the ACA provision for young adults.
Key Costs
Eligibility
- Unmarried adult children of eligible sponsors
- Age 21-25 (or 23-25 if full-time students)
- +2 more...
Plan Details
TRICARE Prime
Lowest costs with managed care
TRICARE Prime is a managed care option similar to a civilian HMO. You get a primary care manager (PCM) who coordinates your care and provides referrals to specialists. Active duty service members are automatically enrolled.
Who's Eligible
- Active duty service members (ADSMs) - automatically enrolled
- Active duty family members (ADFMs)
- Retired service members under 65
- Medal of Honor recipients and their families
- Survivors of deceased service members
Not Eligible:
- Retirees and family members 65 or older (must use TRICARE For Life)
- Those not enrolled in DEERS
Cost Summary
Retirees: $411.60/year individual, $823.20/year family (2024)
Coverage Highlights
Fully covered, no cost share
Prenatal through postpartum covered
Inpatient and outpatient covered
Formulary drugs covered
Separate dental plan required (FEDVIP or TRDP)
Eye exams covered; glasses/contacts limited
Worldwide coverage for emergencies
Limited to 12 visits/year
Pros
- Lowest copays and cost shares
- No annual deductible
- Predictable costs
- Care coordination through PCM
- Enhanced access standards (appointments within specific timeframes)
Cons
- Referrals required for specialists
- Must use network providers for coverage
- Less flexibility in choosing doctors
- Point-of-service option has higher costs
How to Enroll
Enroll online at milConnect (milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil) or by calling your regional contractor
When: Anytime, but coverage starts the 1st of the month after enrollment
Qualifying Life Events:
TRICARE Select
Flexibility to choose your doctors
TRICARE Select is a self-managed, preferred-provider option that gives you more freedom to see any TRICARE-authorized provider without referrals. You pay more for this flexibility, especially if you go outside the network.
Who's Eligible
- Active duty family members (ADFMs)
- Retired service members under 65
- Retired family members under 65
- Survivors and certain former spouses
- Medal of Honor recipients and families
Not Eligible:
- Active duty service members (must use Prime)
- Those 65+ with Medicare (must use TRICARE For Life)
Cost Summary
Retirees: $181.80/year individual, $363.60/year family (2024)
Coverage Highlights
Fully covered in network
Covered with cost shares
No referral needed
Same as Prime
Separate dental plan required
Eye exams covered
Worldwide coverage
Limited visits
Pros
- No referrals required
- More provider choices
- Can see specialists directly
- Good for families spread across locations
- Can use both network and non-network providers
Cons
- Higher out-of-pocket costs than Prime
- Annual deductible required
- Non-network care costs significantly more
- Enrollment fees for most (not ADFMs)
How to Enroll
Enroll online at milConnect or call your regional contractor
When: Anytime with qualifying life event, or during open enrollment
Qualifying Life Events:
TRICARE Reserve Select
Premium-based coverage for Selected Reserve
TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) is a premium-based health plan for qualified members of the Selected Reserve and their families. It provides comprehensive coverage similar to TRICARE Select.
Who's Eligible
- Selected Reserve members not on active duty orders
- National Guard members in the Selected Reserve
- Family members of eligible Reserve/Guard members
Not Eligible:
- Reserve members on active duty orders over 30 days (use TRICARE Prime)
- IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) members
- Those with employer-sponsored coverage that meets minimum value
Cost Summary
Premiums are split between member and government
Coverage Highlights
Use FEDVIP
Pros
- Affordable premiums for Reserve/Guard families
- Comprehensive coverage
- No referrals required
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- Portable - keeps coverage between drill weekends
Cons
- Monthly premiums required
- Annual deductible applies
- Must maintain Selected Reserve status
- Lost if you leave the Reserves
How to Enroll
Enroll through milConnect within 90 days of becoming eligible
When: Within 90 days of becoming eligible or during a qualifying life event
Qualifying Life Events:
TRICARE Retired Reserve
Coverage for gray-area retirees
TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) provides premium-based TRICARE coverage for Retired Reserve members and their families who are not yet eligible for regular military retiree coverage.
Who's Eligible
- Retired Reserve members under age 60
- Retired National Guard members under 60
- Qualified family members
- Members in the "gray area" - retired but not yet receiving retired pay
Not Eligible:
- Those receiving retired pay (use TRICARE Prime or Select)
- Those with other employer coverage that meets minimum value
- Retirees 60 and older
Cost Summary
Full premium paid by retired member
Coverage Highlights
Pros
- Coverage during gray-area years
- Comprehensive benefits
- No referrals needed
- Qualifies as minimum essential coverage
Cons
- Higher premiums than active duty plans
- Full premium paid by member
- Annual deductible applies
How to Enroll
Enroll through milConnect
When: Within 90 days of qualifying or during qualifying life event
Qualifying Life Events:
TRICARE For Life
Medicare wraparound for 65+
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is Medicare wraparound coverage for military retirees, their families, and survivors who have Medicare Part A and Part B. It acts as a second payer after Medicare, covering most remaining costs.
Who's Eligible
- Military retirees age 65 or older
- Retired family members 65+ with Medicare Parts A & B
- Certain younger beneficiaries with Medicare due to disability
- Survivors and former spouses with Medicare
Not Eligible:
- Those without Medicare Part B
- Those under 65 without Medicare
Cost Summary
Must pay Medicare Part B premium ($174.70/month in 2024 standard)
Coverage Highlights
TRICARE pharmacy, not Part D
Use FEDVIP
Worldwide
Pros
- No monthly premiums for TRICARE (Medicare premiums still apply)
- Minimal out-of-pocket costs
- Worldwide coverage
- No referrals needed
- Covers what Medicare doesn't
Cons
- Must pay Medicare Part B premiums
- Must maintain Medicare Part B to keep TFL
- Some overseas limitations
How to Enroll
Automatic if you have Medicare Parts A & B and are registered in DEERS
When: Coverage begins when you have both Medicare Parts A & B
Qualifying Life Events:
TRICARE Young Adult
Coverage for adult children up to 26
TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) is a premium-based health plan that allows qualified adult children to purchase TRICARE coverage until age 26, similar to the ACA provision for young adults.
Who's Eligible
- Unmarried adult children of eligible sponsors
- Age 21-25 (or 23-25 if full-time students)
- Not eligible for employer-sponsored health plan
- Sponsor must be eligible for a TRICARE plan
Not Eligible:
- Married young adults
- Those with employer-sponsored coverage
- Children under 21 (covered under parent's plan)
- Those 26 and older
Cost Summary
Premiums adjusted annually
Coverage Highlights
Pros
- Extends coverage past normal dependent age
- Choice of Prime or Select
- Comprehensive coverage
- Good for college students or job seekers
Cons
- Monthly premiums can be significant
- Must be unmarried
- Cannot have employer coverage
- Ends at age 26
How to Enroll
Sponsor purchases through milConnect
When: Within 90 days of losing dependent eligibility or during qualifying life event
Qualifying Life Events:
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