Glossary
TRICARE Plus
An MTF-specific primary-care enrollment program at participating military hospitals — not a substitute for TFL or Medicare.
Also known as: Plus
Quick answer
TRICARE Plus is a primary-care enrollment program offered at some MTFs that allows certain non-Prime beneficiaries — including Medicare-eligible retirees — to enroll for primary care at the MTF on the same access standards as Prime, where space permits. It is offered facility-by-facility, not nationwide, and acceptance is not guaranteed.
Why it matters
If your local MTF offers Plus and accepts you, you may continue using military primary care after 65 on a more reliable basis than pure space-available. Plus does not replace Medicare or TFL — it adds an MTF primary care relationship.
Why this matters at age 65
Many retirees hope Plus will let them stay on base at 65. Even when accepted, you still must enroll in Medicare A and B and rely on TFL for specialty care, hospital, and any care outside the MTF. Plus is a supplement to — not a substitute for — Medicare + TFL.
When you'll encounter it
When inquiring at your MTF about primary-care options after 65.
Impact on Medicare
None. MTF Plus visits don't bill Medicare.
Impact on TRICARE For Life
Plus enrollment does not change TFL. TFL still wraps Medicare for all civilian care.
Military-specific context
Plus availability and rules vary by MTF and may be discontinued at any facility based on capacity. Always confirm with the local MTF's TRICARE office.
Common misconceptions
- "TRICARE Plus replaces the need for Part B." — It does not. Without Part B you still lose TFL, which is your only coverage for off-base care.
- "Plus is available everywhere." — Plus is facility-specific and may not be offered at your nearest MTF.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping Part B because Plus was accepted — losing TFL the same day.
- Assuming Plus covers specialty care it does not.
Real-world scenario: A retired O-6 living near a large MTF is accepted into TRICARE Plus for primary care after 65.
She still enrolls in Medicare A and B and keeps TFL. Her annual physical happens at the MTF (no bill); a cardiology referral goes to a civilian Medicare provider (Medicare primary, TFL secondary, $0 owed).
Questions people commonly ask
- What is TRICARE Plus?
- Does Plus replace the need for Medicare Part B?
Continue learning
— suggested by the knowledge graph- 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.
- 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.
- Beneficiary CategoryHow DEERS classifies you (active duty, retiree, family member, survivor, etc.) — determines which TRICARE plans and cost shares apply.
- Defense Health Agency (DHA)The DoD combat support agency that runs the Military Health System and administers TRICARE, including TRICARE For Life.
- TRICAREThe Department of Defense's worldwide health-care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families.
- TRICARE PrimeTRICARE's managed-care HMO-style plan with a Primary Care Manager and referrals — ends at age 65 for retirees, replaced by TFL.
- TRICARE SelectTRICARE's PPO-style fee-for-service plan — ends at age 65 for retirees and is replaced by TFL.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Does TFL cover a skilled nursing facility stay?Yes. After a qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay, Medicare covers up to 100 days of SNF care and TFL pays the days-21–100 coinsurance.
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.