Step C
Finding doctors after you leave the MTF
When you turn 65, your access to military treatment facilities for routine care is limited. Here is how to find civilian providers who accept Medicare and work seamlessly with Tricare for Life.
Key facts at a glance
- Any doctor who accepts Medicare also works with Tricare for Life. There is no Tricare for Life network — retired military can see any Medicare-participating provider in the U.S.
- MTF access changes at 65. After age 65, routine primary care at many Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) becomes space-available. Some MTFs also offer TRICARE Plus, a primary care enrollment program offered at participating facilities based on available capacity — not every installation participates.
- Find Medicare-accepting doctors at Medicare.gov Care Compare or the Tricare provider directory.
- Two questions to ask any new doctor's office: (1) Do you accept Medicare assignment? (2) Do you bill Tricare for Life as secondary? Most Medicare providers do, and claims crossover automatically.
- Cost to you: for services covered by both Medicare and Tricare for Life, your out-of-pocket cost is typically $0 — Medicare pays first and Tricare for Life covers the remaining cost-share.
- VA care is still available for service-connected conditions and remains separate from Medicare and Tricare for Life.
Three reliable ways to find a provider
Medicare.gov
Use the official Medicare physician finder to search by specialty and ZIP code.
care.medicare.govTricare Provider Directory
Confirm a provider participates with Tricare for Life so claims process automatically.
tricare.mil/findadoctorAsk your current doctor
If your MTF physician refers you out, ask for trusted Medicare-accepting colleagues nearby.
Personal referralTwo important questions to ask a new doctor's office
- 1."Do you accept Medicare assignment?" If yes, Medicare pays its share and TFL covers most of the rest.
- 2."Do you file with Tricare for Life as secondary?" Most Medicare providers can, claims usually crossover automatically.
Want a different option?
A Medicare Advantage plan handles the network for you.
Instead of finding individual Medicare doctors, an Advantage plan gives you an established network of providers, often with lower costs and added benefits. Many veterans pair this with TFL.
Learn about Medicare AdvantageNo-cost insurance specialist service
Speak with a licensed insurance specialist for veterans
Uncle Sam's Healthcare helps retired military find $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans. There is never a fee for this service, and scheduling never obligates you to enroll.