TRICARE Reserve Select: 2026 Rates, Eligibility & Costs | TRICARE.com

TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) is a premium-based health plan for qualified members of the Selected Reserve and their families. It offers comprehensive coverage similar to TRICARE Select, allowing you to see any TRICARE-authorized provider while paying monthly premiums and cost-shares.

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program. For official enrollment and policy information, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Quick answer TRICARE Reserve Select is a "pay-as-you-go" health insurance plan for National Guard and Reserve members who are not on active duty. It allows you to use any doctor, though you pay less when using "network" providers, and requires a monthly premium payment to keep coverage active.

## In detail TRS is available worldwide and functions like a traditional PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan. Unlike TRICARE Prime, you do not need a Primary Care Manager (PCM) or referrals for specialty care, though some services may require prior authorization.

### 2026 Monthly Premiums To maintain TRS coverage, you must pay a monthly premium. These rates are adjusted annually by the Defense Health Agency (DHA). * **Member Only:** $54.84 per month (2026 rate) * **Member & Family:** $273.66 per month (2026 rate)

### Costs and Deductibles (2026) Your out-of-pocket costs depend on the sponsor’s military rank (Group A or Group B, though TRS is generally treated under Group B rules for most new enrollees). * **Annual Deductible:** You must pay a certain amount out-of-pocket before TRICARE begins to pay. * Individual (E4 and below): $63 * Family (E4 and below): $127 * Individual (E5 and above): $190 * Family (E5 and above): $381 * **Catastrophic Cap:** This is the maximum you will pay out-of-pocket per year for covered services. * $1,288 per family (2026 rate). * **Cost Shares:** Once the deductible is met, you typically pay a percentage (e.g., 20% for network providers) for office visits and procedures.

### Regional Contractors (T-5 Transition) As of 2026, TRICARE operates under the T-5 contract: * **East Region:** Managed by **Humana Military**. * **West Region:** Managed by **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** (which replaced HNFS in 2025). * **Pharmacy:** Managed by **Express Scripts**.

### How to Enroll Enrollment is not automatic. You must log in to the **Beneficiary Web Enrollment (BWE)** portal via milConnect to request coverage. A two-month premium payment is typically required upfront.

## Who this applies to * **Selected Reserve Members:** Members of the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, and the National Guard. * **Exclusions:** You are **not** eligible for TRS if you are on active duty orders for more than 30 days or if you are eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program in your civilian job. * **Survivors:** Qualifying family members of deceased Selected Reserve members may continue TRS coverage for a period of time.

Common scenarios

### Scenario 1: The New Enrollee (E-5) Sergeant Miller is an E-5 in the Army National Guard. He signs up for TRS Member-Only coverage. He pays **$54.84/month** in premiums. During his first doctor’s visit of the year (a network specialist), he pays the full negotiated rate until he hits his **$190 deductible**. After that, he pays a small fixed copay or percentage for subsequent visits until he hits the **$1,288 catastrophic cap**.

### Scenario 2: The Civilian Employee Specialist Jones works a federal job where she is eligible for the FEHB program. Even though she is in the Army Reserve, **she is ineligible for TRICARE Reserve Select** because of her eligibility for federal civilian insurance. She must use her employer-sponsored FEHB plan instead.

### Scenario 3: Transitioning from Active Duty Captain Smith leaves active duty and joins the Air Force Reserve. He is no longer eligible for TRICARE Prime. He chooses TRS for his family to keep their same civilian pediatrician. He pays **$273.66/month** to cover his spouse and two children, ensuring they have no break in coverage during his transition.

## Related terms * **Selected Reserve:** Soldiers/Airmen in "drilling" status who are the primary eligible group for TRS. * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum out-of-pocket amount a family pays for covered medical services annually. * **Network Provider:** A doctor or hospital that has a contract with Humana Military (East) or TriWest (West) to provide care at discounted rates. * **Express Scripts:** The company that manages the TRICARE pharmacy benefit, including home delivery and retail pickups. * **Active Guard Reserve (AGR):** Members on this status are typically eligible for TRICARE Prime, not TRS, because they are on full-time active duty orders.

## Sources * TRICARE.mil: [Reserve Select Overview](https://tricare.mil/trs) * Humana Military: [East Region Provider Portal](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * TriWest Healthcare Alliance: [West Region Information](https://www.triwest.com/) * Defense Health Agency: [2026 Cost & Rate Sheets](https://tricare.mil/costs)