TRICARE Health Insurance Costs: 2026 Rates & Fees
*TRICARE.Com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program. For the official government site, visit TRICARE.mil.*
## Quick answer TRICARE costs depend on who you are (your beneficiary category), when you or your sponsor joined the military, and which plan you choose. While active-duty members pay $0 for all care, most other users pay a combination of annual enrollment fees, deductibles, and either flat copayments or percentage-based cost-shares for services.
In detail
TRICARE costs are standardized across the United States but fluctuate annually. To understand what you will pay in 2026, you must first identify your "Group."
* **Group A:** Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment was before January 1, 2018. * **Group B:** Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment was on or after January 1, 2018.
### 1. Annual Enrollment Fees (2026) Enrollment fees apply primarily to Retirees and their families. * **TRICARE Prime:** Active Duty and their families pay **$0**. For Retirees (Group A), expect to pay approximately **$375–$390 per individual** or **$750–$780 per family** annually (based on 2026 projected inflation adjustments). * **TRICARE Select:** Retirees (Group A) pay an annual fee of approximately **$185 per individual** or **$370 per family**. Active-duty families pay **$0**.
### 2. Deductibles (2026) The deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before TRICARE begins to share the cost. * **Prime:** No deductible for most care (unless using the Point-of-Service option). * **Select (Group A, E1-E4):** ~$60 per individual / $121 per family. * **Select (Group A, E5 & above):** ~$182 per individual / $365 per family. * **Select (Group B):** Significantly higher, often ~$600+ per family.
### 3. Out-of-Pocket Costs (Copays vs. Cost-Shares) Once the deductible is met, you pay for services: * **Copayments:** A fixed dollar amount (e.g., $38 for a specialist visit in TRICARE Select Group A). * **Cost-Shares:** A percentage of the TRICARE-allowed amount (e.g., 20% for an out-of-network provider).
| Service Type | Prime (Retirees) | Select (Retirees, Group A) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Primary Care** | ~$25 | ~$35–$40 | | **Specialty Care** | ~$35 | ~$50–$60 | | **Emergency Room** | ~$75 | ~$140–$160 | | **Urgent Care** | ~$35 | ~$35–$50 |
### 4. The Catastrophic Cap This is your safety net. It is the maximum amount you will pay out-of-pocket for covered services each calendar year. * **Active Duty Families:** ~$1,000 to $1,288 per year. * **Retirees:** Typically ranges from ~$4,100 to $4,300+ depending on Group and plan.
## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Service Members:** Pay $0 out-of-pocket for all authorized care. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Pay $0 if using Prime; pay small deductibles and cost-shares if using Select. * **Retirees & Families:** Responsible for annual enrollment fees and higher copayments for most services. * **National Guard/Reserve:** Pay monthly premiums for TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) or TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR).
Common scenarios
**Scenario 1: The Active Duty Family (Select)** Sarah is married to an E-5 on active duty. They use TRICARE Select. In 2026, they pay **$0 in enrollment fees**. When Sarah takes her son to a civilian pediatrician, she pays the TRICARE-allowable rate until she hits her **$182 deductible**. After that, she pays a small **cost-share (typically 15%–20%)** for each visit until she reaches the family catastrophic cap.
**Scenario 2: The Retired Couple (Prime)** John retired in 2015 (Group A). He and his wife use TRICARE Prime. They pay an **annual enrollment fee of roughly $770** (paid monthly via his allotment). Because they see doctors at the Military Treatment Facility (MTF) or within the network (Humana Military in the East), their primary care copays are **$25 per visit**, and they have **no deductible**.
## Related terms * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum out-of-pocket amount you pay for covered services per calendar year. * **Point-of-Service (POS) Option:** An expensive fee incurred when TRICARE Prime members see a doctor without a referral. * **Allowable Charge:** The maximum amount TRICARE will pay for a specific medical service. * **Network Provider:** A doctor or hospital that has a contract with Humana Military (East) or TriWest (West). * **Premium:** A monthly fee paid for "purchased" plans like TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Young Adult.
## Sources * **TRICARE.mil Costs:** https://www.tricare.mil/costs * **Humana Military (East):** https://www.humanamilitary.com/ * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West):** https://www.triwest.com/ * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** https://health.mil/