TRICARE is the U.S. military's health insurance and healthcare delivery system, covering active duty servicemembers, military retirees, and their eligible family members. It is administered by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and serves roughly 9.5 million beneficiaries worldwide through a network of military treatment facilities (MTFs) and civilian providers.

For many people considering military service, healthcare benefits barely register compared to signing bonuses or job training. That's a mistake. The true financial value of TRICARE — especially for families — routinely exceeds $20,000 per year when compared to equivalent civilian coverage. It is consistently ranked as the single most-cited reason career servicemembers and retirees stay connected to the military community. Understanding it before you enlist means you can make a fully informed decision about your compensation package.

Who Qualifies for TRICARE?

Eligibility is determined by your relationship to the military and your registration in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). If you are not in DEERS, you are not eligible — always verify your enrollment after any life change (marriage, new child, separation).

  • Active duty servicemembers: All active duty members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard are automatically covered under TRICARE.
  • Active duty family members: Spouses and dependent children (up to age 21, or age 23 if enrolled full-time in school) registered in DEERS are eligible.
  • Retirees and their families: Members who retire with 20+ years of qualifying service and their dependents remain TRICARE-eligible, though they pay premiums and cost-shares.
  • Reserve and National Guard members: Members of the Selected Reserve are eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select (a premium-based plan) even when not activated. Full TRICARE Prime coverage is available when called to active duty for more than 30 consecutive days.
  • Survivors: Eligible survivors of deceased servicemembers and retirees may retain TRICARE coverage under certain conditions.
  • Medal of Honor recipients: Recipients and their eligible dependents qualify for full TRICARE coverage regardless of service status.

Key rule: All family members must be enrolled in DEERS. A new spouse or newborn who is not in DEERS has no TRICARE coverage — even if they are legally your dependent. Enroll within 60 days of a qualifying life event to avoid gaps.

The Main TRICARE Plans

TRICARE is not a single plan — it is a family of plans designed for different beneficiary groups and situations. Here are the five most important ones:

TRICARE Prime

HMO-Style — Best for Active Duty & Families Near a Base

TRICARE Prime is the flagship plan and the one most active duty members and their families use. It functions like an HMO: you are assigned a Primary Care Manager (PCM), who can be a military physician or a civilian network provider. Referrals are required to see specialists.

  • Active duty members: $0 premiums, $0 deductibles, $0 copays for all covered care.
  • Active duty family members: $0 premiums, small copays for some civilian care (typically $12–$30 per visit), no annual deductible.
  • Retirees and families: Annual enrollment fee applies (approximately $350/year for an individual or $700/year for a family in 2026); cost-shares and copays are higher than for active duty families but still far below civilian rates.

Prime is the best value for those living on or near a military installation with an MTF, as care at the MTF is always free. The main limitation is the PCM referral requirement — you cannot simply visit any specialist without going through the system.

TRICARE Select

PPO-Style — Best for Flexibility & Those Far from a Base

TRICARE Select is a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan that gives you more freedom than Prime. You can see any TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral, though using network providers keeps your costs lower.

  • Active duty family members: No enrollment fee, annual deductible of approximately $150/individual or $300/family, then 20% cost-share for network care.
  • Retirees and families: Annual enrollment fee (approximately $480/individual or $960/family in 2026), higher cost-shares and deductibles than active duty families.
  • Active duty members: Active duty servicemembers are automatically enrolled in Prime and do not use Select for their own care.

Select is the right choice for families stationed in areas with few military facilities, or for those who want the ability to see specialists without navigating a referral system. Out-of-network care is also covered, but at higher cost-share rates.

TRICARE for Life (TFL)

Medicare Supplement — For Military Retirees 65+

TRICARE for Life is the plan for military retirees and their eligible dependents who are 65 or older and enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B. It functions as a Medicare supplement (Medigap) — Medicare pays first, and TFL picks up most of what Medicare doesn't cover.

  • No separate TRICARE premium (you pay Medicare Part B premium — approximately $185/month in 2026).
  • For most care, combined Medicare and TFL coverage results in little to no out-of-pocket cost.
  • Prescription coverage continues through TRICARE Pharmacy, which is significantly cheaper than Medicare Part D for most beneficiaries.

TFL is often described as the best healthcare deal in America for retirees. The combination of free (after Part B) comprehensive coverage and cheap prescriptions represents a benefit package that no civilian Medicare supplement plan can match at comparable cost.

TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)

Premium-Based Plan for Reserve & Guard Members

TRICARE Reserve Select is available to qualified members of the Selected Reserve (Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Forces Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, Air National Guard) who are not on active duty orders.

  • Members pay a monthly premium — approximately $53/month for individual or $233/month for member-plus-family coverage in 2026.
  • Benefits mirror TRICARE Select: same network, same cost-shares, no referrals required for specialists.
  • When a Reserve or Guard member is activated for more than 30 consecutive days, they and their family transition to full TRICARE Prime at no cost.

Even at the premium rate, TRS is dramatically less expensive than comparable civilian employer-sponsored insurance, making it one of the most overlooked value propositions of Reserve and Guard service.

TRICARE Young Adult (TYA)

Coverage for Dependents Ages 21–26

Eligible dependents who age off standard TRICARE coverage at 21 (or 23 if full-time students) can purchase TRICARE Young Adult coverage up to age 26 — mirroring the ACA's provision for civilian insurance.

  • Available in Prime or Select versions, both require the young adult to be unmarried and not otherwise eligible for employer-sponsored insurance.
  • Monthly premiums apply: approximately $228/month for TYA Prime or $212/month for TYA Select in 2026.
  • Benefits are comparable to the standard versions of each plan.

TRICARE Costs at a Glance

The table below summarizes approximate 2026 cost figures across the most common beneficiary groups. Exact amounts are adjusted annually and should be confirmed at tricare.mil.

Beneficiary Group Plan Annual Premium Annual Deductible Copay / Cost-Share
Active duty member Prime $0 $0 $0
Active duty family members Prime $0 $0 $12–$30/visit (civilian)
Active duty family members Select $0 ~$150/individual 20% network cost-share
Retiree / family (under 65) Prime ~$700/family $0 $20–$35/visit (civilian)
Retiree / family (under 65) Select ~$960/family ~$300/family 25% network cost-share
Reserve / Guard (not activated) Reserve Select ~$2,796/family ~$300/family 20% network cost-share
Retiree 65+ with Medicare TRICARE for Life Medicare Part B only $0 TRICARE Near $0 after Medicare

What TRICARE Covers

TRICARE is a comprehensive health benefit covering the vast majority of medical needs a family is likely to encounter:

  • Preventive care: annual physicals, immunizations, screenings, well-child visits — fully covered with no cost-share under Prime.
  • Primary and specialty care: office visits, referrals, specialist consultations, surgery, and inpatient hospitalizations.
  • Mental health and behavioral health: individual and group therapy, inpatient psychiatric care, substance use disorder treatment, and telehealth mental health visits. No referral is required for outpatient mental health services from network providers.
  • Maternity care: prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and postpartum care are covered for enrolled dependents.
  • Emergency care: covered worldwide, including civilian emergency rooms. Always seek care first; file for reimbursement after if overseas or out-of-network.

TRICARE Pharmacy

TRICARE's pharmacy benefit is one of its most valuable components, and also one of the least appreciated by recruits who have never paid civilian prescription prices.

  • Military pharmacy (MTF): formulary drugs dispensed at an MTF are completely free — $0 for any covered generic or brand-name medication on the formulary.
  • TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP): a 90-day supply of a formulary medication costs $0 for generics and $17–$51 for brand-name drugs. This is the best option for maintenance medications.
  • Retail network pharmacies: a 30-day supply runs $12 for generics and $41–$106 for brand-name drugs. Many major pharmacy chains participate.
  • Non-formulary drugs: higher cost-shares apply, and some non-formulary drugs require prior authorization.

TRICARE Dental

Dental coverage is separate from the main TRICARE health plan. Active duty members receive free dental care at military dental clinics. Dependents and retirees must enroll in the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP), a voluntary premium-based plan with annual maximums and standard dental benefits including cleanings, X-rays, fillings, and orthodontia.

TRICARE Vision

Basic vision care — eye exams — is covered under the main TRICARE health benefit for active duty members. Eyeglasses and contact lenses are not covered under standard TRICARE for most beneficiaries, though active duty members may receive one free pair of military-issue glasses annually. Supplemental vision plans are available for purchase through FEDVIP (Federal Employees Vision Insurance Program) for some beneficiary groups.

What TRICARE Does NOT Cover

TRICARE excludes a defined list of services. Knowing these in advance prevents expensive surprises:

  • Cosmetic procedures: elective cosmetic surgery is not covered unless it results from a covered medical procedure or injury.
  • Experimental treatments: procedures and drugs not approved by the FDA or not accepted as standard medical practice are excluded.
  • Most alternative medicine: acupuncture, chiropractic (with some exceptions), naturopathy, and homeopathy are generally not covered.
  • Non-covered dental work: orthodontia, implants, and cosmetic dental procedures outside the TDP structure are excluded.
  • Long-term custodial care: nursing home care for non-medical custodial purposes is not covered.
  • Routine hearing aids: hearing aids are not a TRICARE-covered benefit, though hearing evaluations are.

TRICARE vs. Civilian Employer Insurance

Most recruits who have never held a full-time civilian job have no frame of reference for what civilian health insurance actually costs. The contrast is stark.

Feature TRICARE Prime (Active Duty Family) Typical Civilian Employer Plan (Family)
Annual premiums $0 $6,500–$10,000+
Annual deductible $0 $2,000–$7,000
Out-of-pocket maximum $1,000 (active duty family) $8,000–$16,000
Primary care copay $0–$12 $25–$50
Specialist copay $0–$30 $50–$100+
Prescription (generic / 30-day) $0 at MTF; $12 retail $15–$50
Mental health visits Covered, low/no copay Often limited, higher copay
Overseas coverage Yes — TRICARE Overseas Program Typically none or emergency only

TRICARE is often cited as the #1 reason service members stay in — and one of the most underappreciated benefits by recruits who haven't experienced civilian healthcare costs yet. A military family on TRICARE Prime versus a comparable civilian family on employer insurance frequently saves $15,000–$25,000 per year in total healthcare costs when premiums, deductibles, and copays are tallied together.

Using TRICARE Overseas

If you are stationed or traveling outside the United States, TRICARE coverage does not stop at the border. The TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) covers active duty members and their authorized dependents through three regional contractors:

  • TRICARE Prime Overseas: for active duty and families stationed overseas, functions like domestic Prime with a network of military and civilian providers.
  • TRICARE Select Overseas: for non-Prime beneficiaries overseas, works like a PPO with any TRICARE-authorized provider in the region.
  • TRICARE Global Remote Overseas: for beneficiaries in remote areas where local providers are unavailable or inadequate.

In an emergency anywhere in the world, seek care first and contact TRICARE within 24 hours when possible. Most countries have reciprocal agreements or TRICARE will reimburse at the allowable rate after the fact.

What Happens to TRICARE When You Leave the Military?

This is one of the most important — and most overlooked — transition planning issues for departing servicemembers.

When you are discharged or separated, your active duty TRICARE coverage ends. However, you may qualify for temporary continued coverage:

  • Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP): 180 days of premium-free TRICARE coverage for eligible separating members and their families. Not all separations qualify — check with your installation's transition assistance office.
  • Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP): if you do not qualify for TAMP or need coverage beyond 180 days, CHCBP allows you to purchase 18–36 months of TRICARE-like coverage at full cost (approximately $1,700/month for family coverage). It is expensive but can bridge a gap.
  • Retiree TRICARE: if you serve 20+ qualifying years and retire, you retain TRICARE eligibility for life, paying retiree-tier premiums.
  • Reserve / Guard option: if you separate and join the Selected Reserve, you become eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select.

The bottom line: plan for the coverage gap before your separation date. Getting dropped from TRICARE with no replacement plan is one of the most common and avoidable financial mistakes veterans make.

Recommended Military Benefits Reading

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Benefits Guide

The Military Advantage

Terry Howell

The comprehensive reference for military benefits — covers TRICARE, BAH, BAS, retirement, VA benefits, and every other entitlement available to servicemembers and families.

View on Amazon → Finance

The Military Money Manual

Spencer Reese

Helps servicemembers understand the true financial value of TRICARE and other benefits — and how to plan for the coverage gap at separation.

View on Amazon → Family Guide

The Savvy New Consumer's Guide to TRICARE

Various

A plain-language breakdown of TRICARE plan options, enrollment steps, and how to use your benefits — written for military families navigating the system for the first time.

View on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TRICARE free for active duty members?
Yes — active duty servicemembers pay nothing for TRICARE Prime coverage. There are no premiums, no deductibles, and no copays for care received at a military treatment facility. Small copays may apply for some civilian network care, but the annual out-of-pocket maximum ensures costs stay minimal even in high-use years.
Does TRICARE cover my family?
Yes. Eligible family members — including your spouse and dependent children up to age 21 (or age 23 if enrolled full-time in an accredited school) — are covered under TRICARE once they are registered in DEERS. Active duty family members on TRICARE Prime pay no premiums and only small copays for civilian network care. Enroll family members within 60 days of a qualifying life event such as marriage or the birth of a child.
What happens to TRICARE when I leave the military?
When you separate from active duty, TRICARE ends. If you qualify, TAMP provides 180 days of premium-free transitional coverage. After that, you can purchase CHCBP for up to 18–36 more months at high cost. Veterans who retire with 20+ years retain TRICARE as retirees. Those who join the Reserve or Guard can enroll in TRICARE Reserve Select. Planning your coverage transition before your separation date is essential — do not leave it to the last minute.
Does TRICARE cover mental health and therapy?
Yes. TRICARE covers mental health services including individual and group therapy, inpatient psychiatric care, substance use disorder treatment, and telehealth mental health visits. No referral is required to see a network mental health provider under TRICARE Select. Under Prime, a referral from your PCM is generally required for specialty care, though access to behavioral health providers has been expanded in recent years through direct access provisions.
Can I use TRICARE outside the United States?
Yes — TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) covers active duty members and their authorized family members stationed or traveling abroad. Coverage includes TRICARE Prime Overseas for those stationed overseas, TRICARE Select Overseas for non-Prime beneficiaries, and TRICARE Global Remote Overseas for those in very remote locations. In an emergency anywhere in the world, get care first and notify TRICARE as soon as possible.
Is TRICARE better than civilian employer insurance?
For most people, yes — significantly so. The average American family pays over $6,500 per year just in employee premium contributions for employer-sponsored health insurance, before touching deductibles or copays. Active duty families pay $0 in premiums under TRICARE Prime. Even retiree TRICARE costs a fraction of comparable civilian plans. When you add up total annual healthcare costs — premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses — military families on TRICARE typically save $15,000–$25,000 annually compared to civilian counterparts.