Glossary
TRICARE
The Department of Defense's worldwide health-care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families.
Also known as: DoD TRICARE, uniformed services health program
Quick answer
TRICARE is the DoD's worldwide health-care program for uniformed service members, retirees, their families, and survivors, managed by the Defense Health Agency (DHA). The TRICARE family of plans includes Prime, Select, Reserve Select, Retired Reserve, Young Adult, US Family Health Plan, TRICARE Plus, the TRICARE Overseas Program, and — at age 65 — TRICARE For Life.
Why it matters
TRICARE is the foundation of your military health benefit before Medicare eligibility. Understanding which TRICARE plan you're on today helps you anticipate exactly what changes when you turn 65 and how to keep continuous coverage through the transition.
Why this matters at age 65
On the first day of the month you become eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A and enroll in Part B, your existing TRICARE plan (Prime, Select, US Family Health Plan, etc.) ends and you transition to TRICARE For Life automatically — if DEERS is current. Missing Medicare A or B means losing TRICARE entirely.
When you'll encounter it
Every interaction with military healthcare prior to Medicare eligibility, and during the transition planning window 6–12 months before turning 65.
Impact on Medicare
None directly. But your TRICARE eligibility (via DEERS) is what allows TFL to activate once you have Medicare Parts A and B.
Impact on TRICARE For Life
TFL is itself a TRICARE program — specifically, the one for Medicare-eligible TRICARE beneficiaries.
Impact on Medicare Advantage
A Medicare Advantage plan does not replace TRICARE. TFL continues alongside MA as secondary, provided you keep Part B.
VA Healthcare considerations
TRICARE and VA are separate. TRICARE pays for civilian and MTF care; VA pays for care delivered at VA facilities. You can use both.
Military-specific context
TRICARE is sponsored by uniformed service — Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Eligibility flows from the sponsor through DEERS to family members.
Common misconceptions
- "TRICARE Prime continues at 65." — It does not. Your TRICARE plan converts to TRICARE For Life the day Medicare eligibility begins, provided you have Parts A and B.
- "TRICARE is one plan." — TRICARE is an umbrella for multiple plans. The plan you're on today is not the plan you'll be on at 65.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing TRICARE plans (Prime vs Select vs Plus) when checking eligibility — each has different rules.
- Assuming the regional contractor (Humana Military, Health Net) also handles TFL — they don't. TFL is administered by WPS.
Real-world scenario: A retired Navy CDR on TRICARE Select turns 65 in October.
TRICARE Select coverage ends September 30. TFL activates October 1 because Medicare A and B effective dates are already in DEERS. He starts using civilian Medicare providers with $0 out-of-pocket on covered services.
Questions people commonly ask
- What's the difference between TRICARE and TRICARE For Life?
- What TRICARE plan am I on today?
- What happens to TRICARE Select when I turn 65?
Continue learning
— suggested by the knowledge graph- Beneficiary CategoryHow DEERS classifies you (active duty, retiree, family member, survivor, etc.) — determines which TRICARE plans and cost shares apply.
- 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.
- TRICARE PlusAn MTF-specific primary-care enrollment program at participating military hospitals — not a substitute for TFL or Medicare.
- Uniformed Services ID Card (USID)The DoD-issued ID card that proves uniformed services affiliation — required (with DEERS) to access military health benefits.
- US Family Health Plan (USFHP)A TRICARE Prime option delivered by designated civilian provider networks in specific U.S. regions — Medicare-eligible enrollees disenroll at 65 and move to TFL.
- 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.
- Does TFL have a catastrophic cap?Yes. The TRICARE annual catastrophic cap protects you from unlimited out-of-pocket costs on TFL's portion of care.
- 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.
- Does TFL pay for durable medical equipment (DME)?Yes. Medicare covers Part B DME (wheelchairs, CPAPs, walkers) at 80% from a Medicare-enrolled supplier; TFL pays the remaining 20%.
Related lessons
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.