An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | Dec. 1, 2022

TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select: How to Decide

By TRICARE Communications

Are you thinking about your health care options for 2023? TRICARE Open Season, which runs until Dec. 13, might be your only chance all year to make changes to your current health coverage or enroll in a TRICARE Prime option, including the US Family Health Plan, or TRICARE Select.
 
“TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select are different health plans that reflect the different needs of TRICARE beneficiaries,” said Shane Pham, program analyst with TRICARE Health Plan’s Policy and Programs Section at the Defense Health Agency. “Open season is the time to choose the health plan that best suits your family’s needs for the coming year.”
 
Not everyone has a choice of plans. Active duty service members (ADSMs) must enroll in TRICARE Prime, as described in the TRICARE Plans Overview Fact Sheet. However, active duty family members (ADFMs) may have a choice between TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select. What are the most important factors to consider? Below are key differences between the two plans, to help you compare.
 
TRICARE Prime
TRICARE Prime is available in certain stateside areas, called Prime Service Areas. Depending on where you live and your sponsor’s status, other TRICARE Prime options include:  
You can search TRICARE plans to see if TRICARE Prime is an option where you live.

Getting care with TRICARE Prime
TRICARE Prime is your managed care option. It offers the most affordable coverage. How do you receive care under TRICARE Prime?  
Out-of-pocket costs with TRICARE Prime
In general, TRICARE Prime has lower out-of-pocket costs than TRICARE Select. What costs can you expect?
  • ADSMs, ADFMs, and transitional survivors have no enrollment costs. Retirees, their families, and others pay yearly enrollment fees.
  • ADSMs don’t pay out-of-pockets costs.
  • ADFMs don’t pay out-of-pocket costs for TRICARE covered services if they see a TRICARE-authorized network provider in their region, and with the appropriate referral or pre-authorization.
  • Retirees pay copayments or cost-shares for covered health care services from network providers.
  • When following the rule of your plan, out-of-pocket costs are limited to your catastrophic cap.
  • There’s no annual deductible.
 
TRICARE Select
Those eligible for TRICARE Select include:
  • ADFMs
  • Retirees
  • Retiree family members
 
ADSMs can’t enroll in TRICARE Select. In overseas locations, TRICARE Select Overseas is available.
 
Getting care with TRICARE Select
TRICARE Select is a self-managed care option. TRICARE Select offers the most freedom of choice.
  • There’s no required PCM.
  • You manage your own health care and can receive care from any TRICARE-authorized provider. However, you’ll pay higher out-of-pocket costs when you receive care outside the established network of providers. Non-participating non-network providers may charge up to 15% above the TRICARE-allowable amount.
  • If you need specialty care, referrals and pre-authorizations aren’t required in most situations.
  • If you get care from a non-network provider, you may have to pay for services up front and file your own claims for reimbursement.
  • You may get care at military hospitals or clinics if space is available.
 
Out-of-pocket costs with TRICARE Select
TRICARE Select has the following out-of-pocket costs:
  • ADFMs have no yearly enrollment fees.
  • Retirees, their families, and others have enrollment fees based on when you or your military sponsor initially joined the military.
  • There’s an annual deductible for TRICARE covered services. After the deductible is met, you pay per-visit copayments or cost-shares.
  • Your out-of-pocket costs are limited to your catastrophic cap.
 
Learn more about TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select. Take advantage of the compare plans and compare costs tools when making your decision for coverage next year. Remember, open season ends Dec. 13.
 
Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit the TRICARE Subscriptions page today, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
Surgeons wearing scrubs stand around machine in operating room.

DHA Hospitals Honored for Surgical Excellence

News
Nov. 27, 2024

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program has recognized three Defense...
Read More
Man works on a laptop

TRICARE Open Season: Understanding Who’s Eligible

News
Nov. 26, 2024

It’s that time of year again—TRICARE Open Season is here. Open season, which began Nov. 11, runs until Dec...
Read More
Someone received their new COVID-19 vaccine in their arm

Get Your Updated COVID-19 Shot With TRICARE

News
Nov. 25, 2024

The new 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine is now available. Getting vaccinated helps protect not just you, but also...
Read More
Mother and child look at laptop

How To Schedule an Appointment Using the MHS GEN...

News
Nov. 21, 2024

Navigating your healthcare appointments at military hospitals and clinics is convenient with the MHS GENESIS...
Read More
Doctor checks a child's hearing

TRICARE Now Covers Hearing Aids for Children of ...

News
Nov. 20, 2024

TRICARE has recently expanded its hearing aid coverage to include eligible children of retired service...
Read More
Nationally Recognized Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade A, Fall 2024.

Fifteen Military Hospitals Receive Leapfrog’s Hi...

News
Nov. 15, 2024

The Defense Health Agency announced 15 military hospitals got an “A” rating in Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade...
Read More
Family looks at a phone

TRICARE Open Season 2024 Begins: Learn if You Ne...

News
Nov. 11, 2024

Have you considered changing your family’s TRICARE health plan for 2025? Now is your opportunity: TRICARE Open...
Read More
Uniformed service member stands and smiles with wife and child, as toddler waves to the camera.

Check Out Your 2025 TRICARE Health Plan Costs

News
Nov. 07, 2024

With 2025 just around the corner, you may be starting to consider your family’s health needs for next year...
Read More

Nov. 27, 2024

DHA Hospitals Honored for Surgical Excellence

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program has recognized three Defense Health Agency hospitals for their outstanding surgical care.

Nov. 26, 2024

TRICARE Open Season: Understanding Who’s Eligible

It’s that time of year again—TRICARE Open Season is here. Open season, which began Nov. 11, runs until Dec. 10. During this period, most beneficiaries with TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select can make changes to their health plan for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2025.

Nov. 25, 2024

Get Your Updated COVID-19 Shot With TRICARE

The new 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine is now available. Getting vaccinated helps protect not just you, but also your family members and fellow community members.

Nov. 21, 2024

How To Schedule an Appointment Using the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal

Navigating your healthcare appointments at military hospitals and clinics is convenient with the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal’s scheduling feature.

Nov. 20, 2024

TRICARE Now Covers Hearing Aids for Children of Military Retirees

TRICARE has recently expanded its hearing aid coverage to include eligible children of retired service members. This new coverage results from a new statute. It aims to improve access to life-changing medical technology and help eligible children of retired service members get the hearing aids they need.

Nov. 15, 2024

Fifteen Military Hospitals Receive Leapfrog’s Highest Safety Grade

The Defense Health Agency announced 15 military hospitals got an “A” rating in Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade fall 2024 assessment. This grade reflects the DHA’s ongoing dedication to transparency and to provide high-quality, safe care to service members and their families.

Nov. 11, 2024

TRICARE Open Season 2024 Begins: Learn if You Need To Take Action

Have you considered changing your family’s TRICARE health plan for 2025? Now is your opportunity: TRICARE Open Season starts Nov. 11 and runs through Dec. 10.

Nov. 7, 2024

Check Out Your 2025 TRICARE Health Plan Costs

With 2025 just around the corner, you may be starting to consider your family’s health needs for next year. There may be changes to your TRICARE health plan costs starting Jan. 1, 2025. Depending on your plan, these costs may include enrollment fees, premiums, cost-shares, and copayments.

Nov. 5, 2024

Your Comprehensive TRICARE Open Season Checklist: Prepare for Nov. 11

TRICARE Open Season is right around the corner. This year, it runs from Nov. 11 to Dec. 10. Follow this detailed checklist to ensure you’re fully prepared.

Oct. 30, 2024

TRICARE Dental Program Premiums Decrease Effective Nov. 1

If you’re enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program, your TDP monthly premiums will decrease for coverage effective Nov. 1. These new rates will remain in effect until Feb. 28, 2025.