What's the difference between TFL and Medicare Advantage?

These often get confused. They're very different things.

TRICARE For Life:

• A DoD wraparound program.
• Secondary payer behind Medicare.
• No premium, no network, accepted wherever Medicare is accepted.
• Activates automatically when you have Medicare A and B.

Medicare Advantage (Part C):

• A private Medicare plan.
• Replaces how Original Medicare delivers your benefits.
• Has networks, copays, and a MOOP.
• Often includes extras Original Medicare doesn't (dental, vision, hearing, Part B giveback).

They can coexist. If you enroll in MA, TFL is still in place — just behind your MA plan instead of behind Original Medicare. Many veterans run this combination.

Bottom line: TFL is a benefit you keep no matter what. MA is a choice about how your Medicare gets delivered. The two questions are independent.