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What is TRICARE For Life?
Quick answer
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is the Medicare wraparound coverage available to TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries who are entitled to Medicare Parts A and B. There is no enrollment fee and no separate premium beyond Medicare Part B. TFL pays second after Medicare for services covered by both.
Key takeaways
- TFL activates automatically when you have Medicare Parts A and B and are enrolled in DEERS.
- No enrollment fee. No TFL premium. You pay the Medicare Part B premium and that is it.
- TFL is administered by Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS) on behalf of the Defense Health Agency.
- Use any Medicare-participating provider — TFL has no network.
Detailed explanation
TRICARE For Life is the lifetime benefit retired service members and their qualifying family members earned through service. It is not a separate insurance plan you shop for — it is a wraparound benefit that activates when you become Medicare-eligible.
Who can use TFL
- Medicare-eligible uniformed services retirees
- Medicare-eligible family members and survivors
- Medicare-eligible Medal of Honor recipients and their families
- Certain former spouses who qualify under "20/20/20" rules
You must be registered in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System).
What TFL does
For care covered by both Medicare and TFL at a Medicare-participating provider, Medicare pays first and TFL pays the remaining Medicare cost-share. Typical out-of-pocket for the beneficiary: $0.
For care covered by TFL but not Medicare (some overseas care, for example), TFL pays first as if you had TRICARE Select, and you owe the TRICARE deductible and cost-shares.
For care covered by Medicare but not TFL, Medicare pays first and you owe the Medicare cost-share with no TFL backup.
What TFL does NOT cover
- Routine dental, vision, or hearing care
- Long-term custodial care
- Most cosmetic services
These gaps are where some veterans consider a Medicare Advantage plan as an optional consideration (covered later in the path).
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to enroll in TFL?
No. There is no separate TFL enrollment. As long as you have Medicare A+B and are current in DEERS, TFL activates automatically.
Does my spouse get TFL?
A TRICARE-eligible spouse gets TFL once they personally turn 65 and enroll in Medicare A+B. Your eligibility does not transfer dates — each spouse activates TFL independently.
Does TFL cover prescriptions?
Yes, through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program (Express Scripts). Do not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan.
Official government resources
Official Medicare and TRICARE publications are the definitive source. This page is an independent educational summary; always confirm specifics against the resources above.