Doctors, Networks & MTFs

• Can I keep going to the military hospital after 65?Only on a space-available basis. Active duty and Prime enrollees come first. Most retirees on TFL transition fully to civilian Medicare providers.
• How do I find doctors who take Medicare?Use Medicare Care Compare. Filter for providers who accept Medicare assignment and are taking new Medicare patients. Any of them can also bill TFL as your secondary.
• What if my doctor doesn't take Medicare?If they opted out of Medicare, neither Medicare nor TFL will pay and you'll owe the full bill. Find a Medicare-participating provider instead.
• How do I find specialists (cardiologist, dermatologist, etc.) who take Medicare?Use Medicare Care Compare and filter by specialty and ZIP. Confirm Medicare participation by calling the office. No referral is needed under Original Medicare + TFL.
• Do I need a referral to see a specialist?Not under Original Medicare + TFL. Most Medicare Advantage HMO plans do require referrals; PPO plans usually don't.
• My doctor says they don't take TRICARE. What now?Ask the right question: 'Do you accept Medicare?' On TFL, Medicare is your network. Any Medicare-participating provider can bill TFL as secondary, even if they say they don't 'take TRICARE.'
• What does 'Medicare assignment' actually mean?A provider who accepts Medicare assignment agrees to take Medicare's approved amount as full payment. You owe only Medicare's cost-shares — which TFL covers.
• Can I still use the MTF pharmacy after 65?Yes. MTF pharmacies remain available to TFL beneficiaries with no copay, subject to local capacity. This is usually the cheapest pharmacy option.
• Can I go to urgent care on TFL?Yes. Use any Medicare-participating urgent care clinic. Medicare pays first, TFL pays second, and you almost always owe nothing beyond a small copay.
• How does the ER work with Medicare and TFL?Go to the nearest ER — Medicare and TFL cover emergency care anywhere in the U.S. with no prior authorization. Medicare pays first; TFL covers your share.

Educational only — not insurance, legal, or tax advice. Verify with Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE), WPS (1-866-773-0404), SSA, or a licensed advisor before making enrollment decisions.