Glossary
Deductible
The amount you must pay out-of-pocket for covered services before your insurance starts paying.
Also known as: annual deductible, Part B deductible, Part A deductible
Quick answer
A deductible is a fixed dollar amount you pay each year (Part B, MA plans, Part D) or each benefit period (Part A) for covered services before your plan begins to share costs. Medicare Part A uses a per-benefit-period hospital deductible; Part B uses a single annual deductible.
Why it matters
On Original Medicare + TFL, both the Part A and Part B deductibles are typically picked up by TFL — leaving you with $0 out-of-pocket for services covered by both programs.
Why this matters at age 65
At 65, brand-new costs appear (Part B premium, Part A deductible, Part B deductible). Knowing TFL eliminates the deductibles for dual-covered care is what makes the math work for retired beneficiaries.
When you'll encounter it
Hospital admissions (Part A) and outpatient services early in the calendar year (Part B).
Impact on Medicare
Medicare requires you to satisfy the deductible before paying its 80% Part B share or its inpatient benefits.
Impact on TRICARE For Life
TFL functions as a Medigap-style wraparound and pays the Medicare deductibles for services covered by both programs.
Impact on Medicare Advantage
Many MA plans have $0 or low medical deductibles, with separate Part D drug deductibles. TFL still picks up plan cost-shares as secondary.
Common misconceptions
- "I have to meet a separate TRICARE deductible." — On TFL, you generally don't — TFL pays Medicare's deductible for dual-covered services.
- "The Part A deductible is annual." — It's per benefit period, which can mean more than one deductible per calendar year.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying the Part B deductible at the front desk instead of letting TFL process it as secondary.
- Confusing the Part D plan deductible (paid out-of-pocket) with the Part B deductible (covered by TFL).
Real-world scenario: January office visit. Medicare-approved amount $185. Patient has not yet met the Part B deductible.
Medicare applies the full charge to the deductible and pays $0. TFL pays the deductible. Patient owes $0.
What should I do?
- 1Don't pre-pay the Medicare deductible at check-in — let TFL pay it as secondary.
- 2Track your Part A benefit periods if you're hospitalized; a 60+ day gap resets the deductible.
- 3Budget separately for any Part D drug deductible — TFL does NOT cover Part D plans.
Questions people commonly ask
Continue learning
— suggested by the knowledge graph- Understanding Original Medicare (Parts A & B) for veteransExactly what Part A and Part B cover, what they cost in 2026, and why both are required to keep TRICARE For Life.
- Enrolling in Medicare: timing, methods, and the military-specific rulesWhen and how to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B — and the timing that protects your TRICARE For Life activation.
- 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.
- Balance BillingThe practice of a provider billing you for the difference between their charge and what insurance approved.
- Benefit Period (Part A)The Part A timeframe used to measure hospital deductibles and coinsurance — it resets after 60 days out of the hospital.
- Billing ErrorsMistakes — accidental or intentional — on Medicare or TFL claims, ranging from duplicate charges to outright fraud.
- Brand-Name DrugsFDA-approved drugs sold under a manufacturer's proprietary name — middle copay tier on the TRICARE formulary.
- ClaimA formal request to an insurer for payment of a covered service.
- Coordination of Benefits (COB)The federal and contractual rules that determine which insurer pays first when you have more than one health plan.
- Can my state help pay my Part B premium?If your income is low enough, yes. Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI) pay the Part B premium for qualifying beneficiaries. Apply through your state Medicaid office.
- Are my Medicare premiums tax-deductible?Generally yes, as a medical expense if you itemize and your total medical costs exceed 7.5% of AGI. Self-employed retirees may deduct premiums above the line. Talk to a tax professional.
- What does TRICARE For Life actually cover?TFL is a wraparound. For services Medicare and TFL both cover, TFL pays nearly all remaining cost-shares. For Medicare-only services, TFL still acts as secondary. For TFL-only services (very few), TFL pays as primary.
- What do I actually pay out-of-pocket on TFL?For services covered by both Medicare and TRICARE, almost always $0. For TRICARE-only services, you owe a small deductible plus a percentage cost-share until you hit the annual catastrophic cap.
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.