Compare TRICARE Plans: Prime vs Select vs TRS (2026) | TRICARE.com

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or the Department of Defense. For official policy and the most current enrollment data, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Quick answer TRICARE Prime is a managed-care plan similar to an HMO, offering the lowest out-of-pocket costs but requiring a Primary Care Manager (PCM) and referrals for specialists. TRICARE Select is a PPO-style plan that offers more flexibility to see any authorized provider without a referral but carries higher deductibles and cost-shares. TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) is a premium-based version of the Select plan specifically for qualified members of the Selected Reserve and their families.

In detail

Choosing between Prime, Select, and TRS depends on whether you value low costs (Prime) or provider flexibility (Select/TRS). Under the 2025/2026 T-5 contract, Humana Military manages the East Region and TriWest Healthcare Alliance manages the West Region.

### TRICARE Prime Prime is designed for those living in Prime Service Areas (PSAs). * **Structure:** Network-based (HMO). You are assigned or select a Primary Care Manager (PCM) at a military hospital or within the civilian network. * **Referrals:** Required for all specialty care. Seeing a specialist without a referral results in "Point of Service" charges (50% cost-share). * **Costs (2026):** Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) and their families pay $0 enrollment fees. Retirees pay annual enrollment fees (varies by Group A/B status; check TRICARE.mil for 2026 specifics).

### TRICARE Select Select is a self-managed, preferred provider organization (PPO) plan. * **Structure:** You can see any TRICARE-authorized provider. You pay less if you use a "Network" provider. * **Referrals:** No referrals required for most services. You manage your own specialty care. * **Costs (2026):** No enrollment fees for Active Duty families. Retirees pay an annual enrollment fee. All users face an annual deductible and cost-shares (percentages of the allowed amount) rather than small flat copays.

### TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) TRS is essentially the Select plan for the "Selected Reserve" of the Ready Reserve. * **Structure:** Mirror image of the TRICARE Select plan (PPO). * **Eligibility:** Must not be on active duty orders and not eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. * **Costs (2026):** Requires a monthly premium. For 2025, the rates were $51.95/month for individuals and $256.87/month for families; 2026 rates typically adjust slightly upward based on health care cost inflation.

Comparison Table (2026 Plan Year)

| Feature | TRICARE Prime | TRICARE Select | TRICARE Reserve Select | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Plan Type** | HMO (Managed Care) | PPO (Self-Managed) | PPO (Premium-based) | | **Primary Care Manager** | Required | Not Required | Not Required | | **Referrals Needed?** | Yes | No | No | | **Enrollment Fee** | Yes (for Retirees) | Yes (for Retirees) | Monthly Premium | | **Out-of-Pocket Cost** | Lowest | Moderate | Moderate | | **Provider Choice** | Limited to Network/MTF | Any Authorized Provider | Any Authorized Provider |

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Families:** Can choose between Prime ($0 fee) or Select (no fee, but higher out-of-pocket costs). * **Retirees and their Families:** Can choose Prime or Select, both requiring annual enrollment fees. * **National Guard/Reserve Members:** Qualified Selected Reservists can purchase TRS. They transition to Prime or Select only when called to active duty for more than 30 days. * **Beneficiaries in "Group A" vs "Group B":** Your costs (deductibles/fees) depend on whether the sponsor's initial enlistment was before or after January 1, 2018.

Common scenarios

**Scenario 1: The Budget-Conscious Active Duty Family** The Miller family is stationed at Fort Cavazos. They want $0 out-of-pocket costs and don't mind seeing a military doctor. They choose **TRICARE Prime**. They pay $0 for a specialty dermatology visit because they obtained a referral from their PCM.

**Scenario 2: The Retiree Seeking Flexibility** LCDR Smith (Ret.) lives 40 miles from a military base and wants to keep his civilian cardiologist who is not in the TRICARE network. He chooses **TRICARE Select**. He pays an annual enrollment fee (e.g., ~$380–$750 range for 2026 Group A families) and a deductible, then pays a 25% cost-share for his visits, but he never needs a referral.

**Scenario 3: The Drilling Reservist** Sergeant Jones is a member of the Army Reserve. He works a civilian job that doesn't offer good insurance. He enrolls in **TRICARE Reserve Select**. He pays a monthly premium (~$257 for his family in 2026) and uses local network doctors without needing referrals.

## Related terms * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum out-of-pocket amount you pay per year for covered services. * **PCM (Primary Care Manager):** The doctor responsible for your care and referrals in a Prime plan. * **Network Provider:** A civilian doctor who has a contract with Humana Military (East) or TriWest (West). * **Cost-Share:** The percentage of the total cost of a covered health care service you pay (common in Select). * **Point of Service (POS):** An option to see a non-network provider under Prime without a referral, resulting in significantly higher costs.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Plan Comparison Tool](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/ComparePlans) * **Defense Health Agency:** [TRICARE Costs and Fees](https://www.tricare.mil/costs) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** [West Region Portal](https://www.triwest.com) * **Humana Military:** [East Region Portal](https://www.humanamilitary.com)