Frequently Asked
Do I still pay TRICARE fees once I have TFL?
No. TRICARE For Life has zero enrollment fees and no premium. You only pay the Medicare Part B premium (to Medicare, not TRICARE).
No. TFL has:
- No enrollment fee.
- No annual premium.
- No annual deductible (beyond what Medicare already collects on the primary side).
Your only real cost on Original Medicare + TFL is the Medicare Part B premium, which goes to Medicare — not TRICARE.
What you might still pay:
- TRICARE Pharmacy copays (small, depending on tier and channel).
- Services not covered by either Medicare or TRICARE (rare).
- Anything from a provider who has opted out of Medicare entirely.
For most TFL beneficiaries, total annual out-of-pocket on covered medical care is near zero beyond the Part B premium and a few prescription copays.
Continue learning
— suggested by the knowledge graph Lessons
- What is TRICARE For Life? The complete guide for retired militaryThe Medicare-wraparound benefit you earned through service — what it covers, who qualifies, what it costs, and how it activates.
- What is Medicare? A complete overview for retired militaryA plain-English, handbook-grounded overview of the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, written specifically for retired service members and their families.
- How Medicare and TRICARE For Life work togetherThe exact mechanics of who pays first, who pays second, and what you owe — for every common care scenario.
Encyclopedia
- Medicare Part BThe medical insurance side of Original Medicare — covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment.
- TRICARE Pharmacy ProgramThe DoD prescription drug benefit administered by Express Scripts — your drug coverage if you have TFL.
- MedicareThe federal health insurance program for people 65+, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with ESRD or ALS.
- Original MedicareMedicare Parts A and B together — the fee-for-service version of Medicare run directly by the federal government.
- TRICAREThe Department of Defense's worldwide health-care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families.
FAQs
- Will TRICARE pay my Medicare deductible?Yes. For services covered by both Medicare and TRICARE at participating providers, TFL typically covers the Medicare deductible and coinsurance — leaving you with $0.
- Do I really need Medicare Part B?Yes. Without Part B, you lose TRICARE For Life. There is no workaround.
- Can I keep seeing military doctors?At many MTFs, routine primary care after 65 becomes space-available; some MTFs also offer TRICARE Plus based on local capacity.
Related glossary terms
Related Official Resources
Continue learning straight from the source. Every link below goes to an official government or DoD resource.
Last reviewed January 2026 against the 2026 Medicare & You and TRICARE For Life handbooks.