Glossary
Defense Health Agency (DHA)
The DoD combat support agency that runs the Military Health System and administers TRICARE, including TRICARE For Life.
Also known as: DHA
Quick answer
The Defense Health Agency (DHA), established in 2013, is the joint DoD agency that manages the Military Health System (MHS). DHA administers all TRICARE programs (Prime, Select, Plus, US Family Health Plan, TFL, Overseas), operates military hospitals and clinics under a unified command structure, and contracts with civilian providers worldwide.
Why it matters
DHA is the entity that sets TRICARE policy, publishes the TRICARE For Life Handbook, awards contracts to WPS (TFL claims) and Express Scripts (pharmacy), and updates fee schedules each calendar year.
Why this matters at age 65
All age-65 TRICARE-to-TFL transition rules are set by DHA. When you read tricare.mil or health.mil — those are DHA's authoritative sources. When you call 1-866-773-0404 about a TFL claim, you're reaching DHA's contractor.
When you'll encounter it
Whenever you visit tricare.mil, health.mil, the TFL Handbook, or speak to a TRICARE customer service representative.
Impact on Medicare
DHA does not administer Medicare (CMS does). DHA simply ensures TRICARE coordinates with Medicare correctly for dual-eligible beneficiaries.
Impact on TRICARE For Life
DHA is the program owner of TFL. All rules, fees, and contractor selections flow from DHA.
Military-specific context
DHA replaced the legacy TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) and unified what had been service-specific medical commands. Health.mil is the agency's public-facing site; tricare.mil is the beneficiary portal.
Common misconceptions
- "TRICARE is run by the VA." — It is not. TRICARE is run by DHA, a DoD agency. The VA is a separate cabinet department.
- "Each service branch runs its own TRICARE." — Since 2013, DHA centrally manages TRICARE across all branches.
Continue learning
— suggested by the knowledge graph- Using military hospitals and clinics (MTFs) after age 65What changes about Military Treatment Facility access once you become Medicare-eligible — and how to plan for the transition.
- 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.
- 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.
- Military Treatment Facility (MTF) & Space-Available CareDoD military hospitals and clinics — at 65, retirees can only be seen if appointments aren't needed by active duty or TRICARE Prime enrollees.
- Beneficiary CategoryHow DEERS classifies you (active duty, retiree, family member, survivor, etc.) — determines which TRICARE plans and cost shares apply.
- DEERSThe DoD's master database that determines who is eligible for TRICARE — including TRICARE For Life.
- Express ScriptsThe pharmacy benefit manager that administers the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, including TFL home-delivery and retail-network prescriptions.
- milConnectThe DoD self-service web portal where retirees verify and update DEERS, view TRICARE coverage, and request ID cards.
- Military Pharmacy (MTF Pharmacy)Pharmacies operated inside Military Treatment Facilities — fills formulary drugs at $0 copay for TFL beneficiaries.
- Survivor Benefits (SBP, DIC, TFL for Survivors)A combination of military, VA, and TRICARE programs that protect a surviving spouse's income and health coverage after a retiree's death.
- TFL Overseas CoverageOutside the U.S., TFL becomes the primary payer because Medicare generally doesn't pay overseas.
- Who pays first, Medicare or TRICARE For Life?Medicare pays first for any service it covers. TFL pays second. The claim usually crosses over automatically — you should never pay out of pocket up front.
- 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.
- Is there an enrollment fee for TRICARE For Life?No. TFL has no enrollment fee and no monthly premium. The only premium you pay is for Medicare Part B.
- 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 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.
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.