FALLS CHURCH, Va. –
Are you getting ready to retire from active duty or the
National Guard or Reserve? You should know there are some steps to take to ensure your
TRICARE coverage continues as you make the transition to civilian life. This article explains what you need to do to keep your TRICARE benefit in retirement.
“Your TRICARE coverage doesn’t automatically continue when you retire,” said Zelly Zim, senior program analyst, TRICARE Health Plan Policy & Programs Division at the Defense Health Agency. “You must take action to keep your TRICARE coverage for yourself and any eligible family members.”
Why you need to act now
When you retire from active duty or the National Guard or Reserve, you experience a
TRICARE Qualifying Life Event. A QLE gives you 90 days to enroll in a TRICARE health plan. You’ll still have access to TRICARE coverage. Unlike during your military service, in retirement you need to choose your plan.
Before you retire
Schedule your Separation History and Physical Examination between 90 and 180 days before you retire or start terminal leave. The
Department of Veterans Affairs uses the SHPE as a single separation examination to capture your complete medical history.
Update DEERS
Your first priority is updating your status in the
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. You have three ways to do this:
Get new ID cards
Once your retirement paperwork processes, you’ll need to get new Uniformed Services ID cards for yourself and your family members. Find an ID card office at the
RAPIDS ID Card Office Online.
Choose your health plan
Review your TRICARE options based on your situation. You’ll need to enroll yourself and eligible family members within 90 days of retirement to avoid a gap in coverage and claims processing. Eligible family members don’t have to be in the same plan, as described in the
TRICARE Retiring From Active Duty Brochure.
If retiring from active duty before age 65, your health plan options are:
If retiring from the National Guard or Reserve, your health plan options are:
Enroll in your new plan
You must enroll within 90 days of your retirement date to avoid a gap in coverage. You can enroll:
- Online through milConnect
- By phone with your TRICARE regional contractor
- By mail using an enrollment form
- If you’re overseas: In person at a TRICARE Area Office
- If you have Medicare Part A and Part B, you automatically have TRICARE for Life if you meet all other requirements for TRICARE coverage
Set up payment
Most retiree plans require enrollment fees or premiums. For TRICARE Select or TRICARE Prime, you’ll pay enrollment fees. You must set up payments to keep your coverage active.
Consider setting up an allotment from your retirement pay to cover your TRICARE enrollment fees automatically. This convenient payment option deducts the fees directly from your retirement check, saving you time. There are no enrollment forms or fees for TRICARE for Life.
Consider dental and vision coverage
When you retire, your active duty dental and vision coverage will end. You can choose to enroll in:
Your pharmacy coverage
You’ll have access to:
You may need to fill maintenance medications through home delivery. Contact Express Scripts to learn about prescription requirements and copayments.
Going overseas?
If you plan to live overseas after retirement, your TRICARE options will differ. Before you move, contact
International SOS, the TRICARE overseas contractor, to learn about available plans and coverage in your new location.
Plan ahead for Medicare
If you’ll turn 65 after retirement, sign up for
Medicare no later than two months before the month you turn 65, as described in the
TRICARE and Medicare Turning 65 Brochure.
If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance monthly benefits, you'll become eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B in the 25th month of receiving SSDI. You must keep Medicare Part A and Part B to remain eligible for TRICARE.
What if you miss the 90-day window?
If you miss the 90-day enrollment window and you’re not yet age 65, you can request retroactive enrollment up to 12 months from your retirement date. Remember:
- Claims can’t process until enrollment completes.
- Coverage starts from your retirement date.
- You must pay applicable enrollment fees back to your retirement date.
Until you enroll in a plan, you can only get care at military hospitals and clinics. This is only true during your time between the 90-day enrollment window and when you sign up for a plan.
Changes to your coverage
You no longer have access to certain TRICARE services after you retire. These include but aren’t limited to the following:
- The Extended Care Health Option for family members with special needs
- Hearing aids and hearing aid services, although you may be able to get hearing aids through the VA or the Retiree-At-Cost Hearing Aid Program
- Chiropractic care through military hospitals or clinics
- Routine eye exams except with TRICARE Prime or enrollment in FEDVIP
Stay connected
Want more information about your TRICARE options in retirement? Check out the TRICARE retirement brochures at
TRICARE Publications. If you have questions, reach out to your
regional contractor.
Don’t wait until your last day of service. Act now to keep your TRICARE coverage.
Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions to get benefit updates, news, and more.