Tricare for Life: A Beginner’s Guide

If you’re a military retiree or the spouse of one and nearing age 65, you’ve probably heard the term Tricare for Life (TFL) tossed around. But what exactly is it? How does it work? And what do you need to do to get it?

In this post, we’ll break down the essentials so you can understand your benefits and make confident decisions about your health coverage.

What Is Tricare for Life?

Tricare for Life is a health insurance program for uniformed services retirees and their eligible spouses or dependents who are entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

It acts as a “wraparound” plan to Medicare, meaning:

• Medicare pays first, covering what it normally would.

• Tricare for Life pays second, often covering the remaining costs (like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles).

In most cases, this means you pay very little or nothing out-of-pocket when you receive medical care from providers who accept Medicare.

Who Is Eligible for Tricare for Life?

To qualify, you must:

• Be a uniformed services retiree (this includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps).

• Be entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Part B.

• Be listed in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

TFL is only for members of the uniformed services and their eligible family members. This includes military retirees, NOAA Corps retirees, USPHS retirees, and Medal of Honor recipients.

Note for federal civilian retirees: If you retired under FERS, CSRS, the Postal Service, or another federal civilian agency but never served in the uniformed services, you are not eligible for TFL. Your coverage comes through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, which coordinates with Medicare at age 65.

You don’t need to enroll in Tricare for Life separately, it automatically activates once you meet the criteria above. However, it’s important to understand that TFL is designed to work with Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans.

If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, claims generally don’t transfer automatically to TFL the way they do with Original Medicare. According to Tricare’s official guidance, you’ll likely need to file claims manually for reimbursement of TRICARE-covered services. That said, experiences vary, some beneficiaries report that claims have transferred successfully without needing to file themselves, while others have faced processing delays or denials.

For the most seamless coordination and fewest administrative headaches, TFL works best when paired with Original Medicare.

What Does Tricare for Life Cost?

One of the greatest advantages of Tricare for Life (TFL) is how much it minimizes out-of-pocket expenses. Here's a breakdown of what you'll pay:

• No premium for TFL itself.

• You must be enrolled in Medicare Part B, which costs $185.00 per month in 2025 (higher-income beneficiaries may pay more based on their income).

• Looking ahead: The standard Part B premium is projected to rise to about $206.50/month in 2026, with the official amount announced in October 2025.

• You don't pay Medicare Part A or Part B deductibles, as TFL generally covers them after Medicare.

For a detailed breakdown of costs and coverage, you can refer to the Tricare for Life Cost Matrix.

Deductibles and Copays:

With Original Medicare alone, you’d normally pay the Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2025) and the Part B deductible ($257 in 2025), plus coinsurance.

The good news is that Tricare for Life usually picks these up, so for most covered services, you’ll pay little to nothing out-of-pocket when you see a Medicare provider.

What You Might Still Pay For:

For most people, TFL covers what Medicare leaves behind. The times you might owe something are when Medicare doesn’t cover the service, or if you use a provider who isn’t covered by Medicare.

• Overseas care: Medicare doesn’t cover care outside the U.S. (except for very limited, rare emergencies), so TFL becomes your primary payer overseas. You may owe the Tricare annual deductible ($150 individual / $300 family) and a cost-share (typically 20–25%). You must use a Tricare-authorized provider. Learn more about using Tricare for Life Overseas.

• Using a provider who doesn’t accept Medicare (in the U.S.) but is Tricare-authorized: Medicare pays nothing; TFL is primary. Tricare deductible and cost-share apply.

• Using a provider who is neither Medicare- nor Tricare-authorized: Not covered by either program; you’re responsible for the full bill.

• Services not covered by Medicare or Tricare: e.g., routine dental, routine vision/eyeglasses for adults, hearing aids, and some alternative therapies, these are typically out-of-pocket. However, you can enroll separately in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) for dental and vision coverage. Learn more and enroll here.

• Prescriptions: Copays apply for most prescriptions. They are lowest through Express Scripts Home Delivery and $0 at military pharmacies, but higher at retail pharmacies.

• VA care (important distinction): Care received at VA facilities is billed under VA benefits; Medicare and TFL don’t pay VA claims. TFL coordination with VA is limited and uncommon.

Summary: When You Do and Don’t Pay

To make it easy, here’s a quick overview of when you might owe money, depending on whether Medicare and/or Tricare covers the service.

Common Questions

Do federal civilian retirees get Tricare for Life?
No. TFL is only available to retirees of the uniformed services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, USPHS, and NOAA) and their eligible family members. Federal civilian retirees (FERS, CSRS, Postal, etc.) use the FEHB program, which coordinates with Medicare separately.

Is Tricare for Life automatic at 65?
Yes, once you have Medicare Part A and B and are listed in DEERS, TFL activates automatically. There’s no separate enrollment process.

Can I use Tricare for Life with a Medicare Advantage plan?
Yes, but claims don’t transfer as smoothly as they do with Original Medicare. You may need to file some claims manually, which can lead to delays. That said, some beneficiaries have reported that their claims processed automatically even with Advantage plans, while others experienced delays or denials.

What if something goes wrong with my TFL activation or claims?
Sometimes hiccups occur when Medicare and TRICARE systems update. If your coverage doesn’t appear active right away or a claim is denied unexpectedly, it’s usually fixable. Check DEERS and Medicare first, then call WPS if needed. TFLCI is always here to guide you through the process.

Still have questions? Every retiree’s situation is a little different. At TFLCI, we’re here to walk alongside you through Medicare, Tricare for Life, and every stage of your healthcare journey. Reach out to us any time through our contact us link—we’re here to help!