An official website of the United States government
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. 14, 2023

Q&A: How Does TRICARE For Life Work With Medicare?

By TRICARE Communications

Will you be eligible for Medicare soon? You may have questions about the different parts of Medicare and how they interact with TRICARE For Life (TFL).
 
“TRICARE For Life is Medicare-wraparound coverage. This means Medicare and TRICARE work together to coordinate your benefits and reduce your out-of-pocket medical costs,” said Anne E. Breslin, TRICARE For Life Program Manager. “You’ll pay nothing out of pocket when the services you receive are a benefit of both Medicare and TRICARE.”
 
TFL coverage is automatic if you have Medicare Part A and Part B. But what do these terms mean? And how does TFL work with about Medicare Part C and Part D? Read on to learn more.
 
Q: Who is eligible for Medicare and TFL?
A: Most people become eligible for Medicare the month they turn age 65, as described in the TRICARE and Medicare Turning Age 65 Brochure. You may be eligible earlier if you receive Social Security disability benefits or have certain other health conditions. To learn more about the impact of Medicare eligibility before age 65 on TRICARE eligibility, see the TRICARE and Medicare Under Age 65 Brochure.
 
TFL is available to military retirees and their eligible dependents who are eligible for TRICARE and have Medicare Part A and Part B. This is regardless of your age or where you live. TFL is an individual entitlement. This means family members who aren’t eligible for Medicare stay eligible for TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select.
 
Q: How do I get TFL coverage?
A: Your TFL coverage automatically begins the first day that you have both Medicare Parts A and B. There are no TFL enrollment forms or enrollment fees.
 
To avoid a gap in your TRICARE coverage, make sure you’re enrolled Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B at least two months before you turn age 65. You can sign up for Medicare on the Social Security website or by contacting the Social Security Administration to set up an appointment.
 
Check out the TRICARE For Life Handbook to learn more about signing up for Medicare.
 
Q: What are the different parts of Medicare? Which ones do I need to have TFL?
A: You need to have Medicare Part A and Part B to have TFL.
 
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It covers inpatient costs for hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care.
 
Note: Most people are eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A if they or their spouse worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years. If you aren’t eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, based on your own record, you may be eligible for Medicare on a current or former spouse’s record.
 
Medicare Part B is medical insurance. Coverage includes outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services. Medicare Part B has a monthly premium based on your income.
 
You don’t need Medicare Part C or Part D to have TFL.
 
Medicare Part C refers to Medicare Advantage plans. Private companies contract with Medicare to offer these plans. Coverage includes Medicare Part A and Part B. Some plans also include vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage.
 
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. Private companies contract with Medicare to offer these plans.
 
Q: What should I know about the optional parts of Medicare (Part C and Part D)?
A: With Medicare Part C, you may pay a monthly premium in addition to your Medicare Part B premium. If you choose to enroll in Part C:
  • You must get all nonemergency health services from that plan’s network of providers.
  • You may pay copayments at the time of service.
  • You may need to file paper claims for TRICARE to reimburse you for TRICARE-covered services you receive.
 
If you need dental and vision coverage, you may qualify to purchase this coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program.
 
You don’t need to enroll in Medicare Part D to have drug coverage. With TFL beneficiaries remain eligible for the TRICARE Pharmacy Program.
 
If you enroll in Medicare Part D, you’ll pay a monthly premium. You’ll also need to follow your Medicare Part D plan’s rules for where to get prescriptions. Learn more about using Medicare Part D with TRICARE.
 
Q: Does Medicare or TRICARE pay first?
A: If both Medicare and TRICARE cover the service, TRICARE pays last. However, Medicare doesn’t cover all services that TRICARE covers. Be sure to check whether your health care services are covered by Medicare, TRICARE, or both, so you aren’t surprised by any out-of-pocket costs.
 
Q: What if I have other health insurance?
A: TFL pays after Medicare and other health insurance (OHI), such as insurance based on your or your spouse’s current employment. Find more information about how Medicare and TFL interact with OHI in the TRICARE for Life Handbook.
 
Be sure to explore all your options and enroll in Medicare at least two months before you turn 65 to avoid any gaps in TRICARE coverage. Keep your contact information up to date in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System to ensure timely delivery of your TRICARE benefits.
 
Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
 
Map of West Region states and TRICARE logo. Text: Referral approval waiver: Referral approvals are waived through June 30.

Defense Health Agency Extends Referral Approval ...

News
Apr. 30, 2025

Do you live in the West Region? Do you have TRICARE Prime? You should know that the Defense Health Agency has...
Read More
TRICARE logo; map of West Region U.S. states in blue. Text reads "Attention West Region Beneficiaries: Submit your payments by April 30 to avoid disenrollment. If you are disenrolled, call TriWest at 888-TRIWEST to reinstate your TRICARE health plan."

Disenrolled From Your TRICARE Plan in the West R...

News
Apr. 29, 2025

Do you currently live in the TRICARE West Region? Do you pay for your TRICARE coverage using a bank electronic...
Read More
Drop off unused, unneeded, or expired drugs at military pharmacies in the U.S.

Safely Dispose of Unused Prescriptions on April ...

News
Apr. 24, 2025

Did you know that Saturday, April 26, is the next National Drug Take Back Day? It’s a day to safely dispose of...
Read More
TRICARE For Life Handbook graphic

Want To Learn About TRICARE For Life? Check Out ...

News
Apr. 22, 2025

You may be approaching age 65, or you may have a disability or a medical condition that makes you eligible for...
Read More
Smiling woman stands in front of American flag.

Unlock Your Health: Need Help With Your TRICARE ...

News
Apr. 18, 2025

Did you know that military hospitals and clinics have support staff who can help you navigate your TRICARE...
Read More
Four young children stand in a huddle, laughing and holding a soccer ball. Text reads: Stay in the Game - Stop Measles Before It Starts! Defense Health Agency and Unlock Your Health text.

Measles Cases on the Rise in the U.S.: Recognize...

News
Apr. 17, 2025

You may have heard about the ongoing measles outbreak in the U.S. Measles is a highly contagious illness that...
Read More
Uniformed service member answers phone standing in front of computer screen

TRICARE’s Near Patient Program: What To Know

News
Apr. 15, 2025

For service members and their family members living overseas, challenges like language barriers and unfamiliar...
Read More
Graphic with TRICARE logo that reads, "Patients needed on April 25 for a focus group discussion on menopause. Sign up deadline is April 24. Learn if you qualify." Drawing of three womn sitting around a laptop.

Provide Feedback on Clinical Practice Guidelines...

News
Apr. 10, 2025

Did you know that your feedback could be a key ingredient in developing health policies, treatments, and...
Read More

April 30, 2025

Defense Health Agency Extends Referral Approval Waiver Through June 30 for West Region TRICARE Prime Enrollees

Do you live in the West Region? Do you have TRICARE Prime? You should know that the Defense Health Agency has extended the West Region referral approval waiver through June 30. TRICARE-authorized specialty care providers don’t need to wait for TriWest Healthcare Alliance to approve referrals issued by your primary care manager before providing outpatient care.

April 29, 2025

Disenrolled From Your TRICARE Plan in the West Region? Here’s How To Reinstate Your Coverage After April 30

Do you currently live in the TRICARE West Region? Do you pay for your TRICARE coverage using a bank electronic funds transfer, credit card, or debit card? If you haven’t done so already, you must securely provide your payment information to the West Region contractor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, by April 30. If you haven’t submitted payment to TriWest by April 30, you and your family members will be disenrolled from your TRICARE plan on May 1. This disenrollment is retroactive to your paid-through date.

April 24, 2025

Safely Dispose of Unused Prescriptions on April 26, National Drug Take Back Day

Did you know that Saturday, April 26, is the next National Drug Take Back Day? It’s a day to safely dispose of unwanted, expired, or excess medications. But it’s also important to know that military pharmacies offer ways to safely dispose of drugs all year long through the Military Health System Drug Take Back program.

April 22, 2025

Want To Learn About TRICARE For Life? Check Out This Handbook

You may be approaching age 65, or you may have a disability or a medical condition that makes you eligible for Medicare and TRICARE For Life before you turn age 65. In either case, you’ll benefit from checking out the TRICARE For Life Handbook.

April 18, 2025

Unlock Your Health: Need Help With Your TRICARE Benefit? A Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator Can Help

Did you know that military hospitals and clinics have support staff who can help you navigate your TRICARE benefit? These include Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinators. You can find them at any military hospital or clinic.

April 17, 2025

Measles Cases on the Rise in the U.S.: Recognize the Symptoms and Protect Your Family

You may have heard about the ongoing measles outbreak in the U.S. Measles is a highly contagious illness that can cause serious complications. Anyone who isn’t protected against measles can get the illness—and children are especially at risk of getting seriously sick.

April 15, 2025

TRICARE’s Near Patient Program: What To Know

For service members and their family members living overseas, challenges like language barriers and unfamiliar health systems may make getting medical care stressful. But getting health care overseas doesn’t have to be difficult. Luckily, TRICARE offers the Near Patient Program to help monitor your medical care and assist you in ten overseas locations.

April 10, 2025

Provide Feedback on Clinical Practice Guidelines in Joint DOD, VA Patient Focus Groups: Menopause Discussion on April 25

Did you know that your feedback could be a key ingredient in developing health policies, treatments, and models of care for the military and veteran healthcare systems? The Department of Defense and Veterans Health Administration are seeking volunteers for four upcoming virtual patient focus groups. The next focus group, on diagnosing and treating menopause, is on April 25 at 2 p.m. ET. The deadline to register is April 24 at 5 p.m. ET.

April 8, 2025

New TRICARE Drive Time Waiver Policy Makes it Easier To Keep Your Primary Care Manager if You Move

Are you moving to a new home? Is it more than a 30-minute drive from your primary care manager? If so, TRICARE is making it simpler to keep your TRICARE Prime coverage. Now, most families who live more than 30 minutes but less than 100 miles from their PCM can continue seeing them without taking action.

April 3, 2025

Q&A: Your TRICARE Catastrophic Cap

You can’t always predict your family’s healthcare needs. But you can know the most you could have to pay for TRICARE covered services. TRICARE calls this your catastrophic cap. Your catastrophic cap limits how much you and your family will pay for TRICARE covered healthcare services each calendar year.