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.

The most recent appropriations for the Department of War expired at 11:59 p.m. EST on September 30, 2025. Military personnel will continue in a normal duty status without pay until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law. Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.
To learn how the lapse in appropriations affects your TRICARE benefit, visit 
tricare.mil/shutdown.

News | April 22, 2025

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

By TRICARE Communications

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.

“The TRICARE For Life Handbook is your go-to resource for all things related to the Medicare and TRICARE,” said Robert Agnello, team lead, beneficiary web and publications, for the Defense Health Agency. “The handbook is your guide to understanding your TFL coverage.”

Here’s a closer look at what the handbook highlights.

Understanding how TFL works

Wondering what the transition to TFL will be like? The first thing you should know is that if you’re TRICARE-eligible and have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, your transition to TFL is automatic. You don’t need to enroll.

As you make the transition, the handbook can help ease the way. The sections take you through:

  • Medicare and TRICARE eligibility
  • How Medicare and TFL work together
  • What services are covered
  • How to get care where you live and when you travel

You’ll learn how TFL works with other health insurance. The handbook also describes your dental and vision coverage options. This includes coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program.

Remember, you have TFL when you’re TRICARE-eligible and have premium-free Medicare Part A (hospitalization insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance, which has a monthly premium), regardless of age or where you live.

Be sure to check the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System to verify that all your information is up to date.

Knowing your pharmacy coverage options

Pharmacy coverage is a priority. TFL offers the same comprehensive prescription drug coverage as other TRICARE health plans, as well as the same convenient options for filling your prescriptions. You can get your prescriptions through:

Note: You don’t need a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to keep your TRICARE prescription drug coverage. With Medicare Part D, you may also pay a monthly premium, and you’ll need to follow the plan’s rules for filling prescriptions.

Learning how to get the most from Medicare and TFL

Anytime you change health plans, there’s a learning curve. With TFL, you may wonder how to:
  • Find a provider
  • Ensure you won’t have any out-of-pocket costs for a service
  • Get care if you travel or live overseas
  • Obtain a pre-authorization or referral for care
  • File claims, an appeal, or a grievance
  • Know the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
  • Get more information

The TRICARE For Life Handbook explains all this and more.

In addition to finding the TRICARE For Life Handbook online, did you know you can also order a printed copy? To order, contact WPS Military and Veterans Health, the TFL contractor, at 866-773-0404.

Interested in other resources? You may want to browse other TRICARE publications like the TRICARE and Medicare Turning Age 65 Brochure and the TRICARE and Medicare Under Age 65 Brochure. Check out TRICARE Publications for more resources on specific plans and benefits.

Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions and sign up to receive benefit news and updates.
 

Picture of a doctor using a stethoscope on a patient's chest; "Patients needed on Oct. 17 for a focus group discussion about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD."

Share your experiences with COPD care and treatm...

News
Sep. 30, 2025

Have you been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD? Your feedback could play a key...
Read More
Service member presses down on another service member's arm while lying on a medical table.

National Guard or Reserve? Learn What To Do if Y...

News
Sep. 25, 2025

Are you a member of the National Guard or Reserve? If so, it’s important to know how TRICARE covers you if you...
Read More
DHA logo and Unlock Your Health logo; Medical professional in scrubs shows man in wheelchair papers on a clipboard.

Learn How TRICARE Can Help You Manage Chronic He...

News
Sep. 23, 2025

Living with a chronic health condition can feel hard. But you don’t have to do it alone. TRICARE offers...
Read More
Woman in a dentist's chair holds a mirror and looks at her teeth.

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

News
Sep. 19, 2025

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Whether you crack a tooth or have severe mouth pain,...
Read More
Young boy smiles and hugs mother

Unlock Your Health: How TRICARE Can Support Your...

News
Sep. 18, 2025

Childhood and teen years can be full of ups and downs. It’s normal for kids to be sad or irritable or to have...
Read More
Dental care provider wearing gloves performs dental procedure on patient in dental chair.

Opioids, Pain Management, and Your Oral Health

News
Sep. 17, 2025

If you’ve had certain dental procedures, like wisdom teeth removal, a root canal, or oral surgery, some...
Read More
Woman wearing dental bib opens her mouth as a dentist uses dental equipment.

The Power of Prevention: Using the TRICARE Denta...

News
Sep. 16, 2025

When it comes to your oral health, a little prevention goes a long way. That’s why the TRICARE Dental Program...
Read More
Unlock Your Health graphic, DHA logo, elderly woman and medical care worker sit together on a couch

Unlock Your Health With TRICARE Home Health Care...

News
Sep. 16, 2025

Is leaving home for care a challenge? TRICARE covers solutions that make it easier to get the care—and...
Read More

Sept. 30, 2025

Share your experiences with COPD care and treatment at Oct. 17 Clinical Practice Guideline patient focus group

Have you been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD? Your feedback could play a key role in developing and updating clinical practice guidelines across the military and veteran health care systems.

Sept. 25, 2025

National Guard or Reserve? Learn What To Do if You Need Line of Duty Care

Are you a member of the National Guard or Reserve? If so, it’s important to know how TRICARE covers you if you become sick or are injured while activated for 30 days or less. This article explores how, where, and under what circumstances National Guard and Reserve members can get line of duty care.

Sept. 23, 2025

Learn How TRICARE Can Help You Manage Chronic Health Conditions

Living with a chronic health condition can feel hard. But you don’t have to do it alone. TRICARE offers programs and coverage to help you live better with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and depression.

Sept. 19, 2025

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Whether you crack a tooth or have severe mouth pain, knowing what to do can save your smile and reduce damage.

Sept. 18, 2025

Unlock Your Health: How TRICARE Can Support Your Child’s Mental Health

Childhood and teen years can be full of ups and downs. It’s normal for kids to be sad or irritable or to have trouble paying attention or interacting with others at times. But sometimes, these feelings and behaviors are signs that your child could need mental health care. Learn how TRICARE can support your child’s mental health and find tips and resources for supporting your child’s well-being.

Sept. 17, 2025

Opioids, Pain Management, and Your Oral Health

If you’ve had certain dental procedures, like wisdom teeth removal, a root canal, or oral surgery, some dentists may prescribe an opioid painkiller to help manage your pain. While your comfort is a priority, it’s important to also understand any potential negative side effects posed by opioids and the importance of using opioids responsibly.

Sept. 16, 2025

The Power of Prevention: Using the TRICARE Dental Program Benefit To Save You Money

When it comes to your oral health, a little prevention goes a long way. That’s why the TRICARE Dental Program covers two routine dental cleanings and examinations each year.

Sept. 16, 2025

Unlock Your Health With TRICARE Home Health Care and Pharmacy Home Delivery

Is leaving home for care a challenge? TRICARE covers solutions that make it easier to get the care—and drugs—you may need. Your TRICARE plan may cover certain in-home health services and pharmacy home delivery options. This gives you flexibility and convenience in your care.

Sept. 10, 2025

Explore Available Counseling and Mental Health Services

Are you a service member, family member, or survivor? Your TRICARE benefit covers a variety of mental health services. But did you know there are other counseling services available to you? This article explores what services you can access if you need support.

Sept. 9, 2025

Live in the West Region? Learn if You Need To Take Action on Your Referrals Before Oct. 1

Are you a TRICARE Prime beneficiary living in the West Region? Are you currently using a referral to get specialty care? If you used the West Region referral approval waiver to see a specialist between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025 and need to continue seeing that specialist, you’ll need to get a new referral to a network specialist before Oct. 1, 2025. If you’re still using a valid referral issued by a previous contractor before Jan. 1, 2025, you also need to get a new referral for any care received starting Oct. 1.