Quick Answer
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is Medicare-wraparound coverage for military retirees who have both Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare pays first; TRICARE For Life pays second, covering most remaining costs. When both Medicare and TRICARE cover a service, you typically pay $0 out-of-pocket. TFL has no enrollment fee or premium - you only pay your Medicare Part B premium ($185.00/month in 2026). The TFL catastrophic cap is $3,000/year.
Coverage Comparison by Plan Type
| Plan Type | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TRICARE For Life (TFL) | Medicare-wraparound; Medicare pays first, TFL pays second | $0 out-of-pocket when both Medicare and TRICARE cover the service; $3,000 catastrophic cap; no TFL premium |
| TRICARE Prime | Primary coverage for active duty and some retirees under 65 | Not available to Medicare-eligible retirees; must switch to TFL at Medicare eligibility |
| Medicare Advantage + TRICARE | MA is primary; TFL is secondary for TRICARE-covered services | MA claims don't automatically cross over to TFL; may require manual claim submission |
| Medicare Only (No TFL) | Medicare pays 80%; you pay 20% + deductible | Losing TRICARE eligibility means losing TFL; keep DEERS record current |
Understanding Your Coverage Options
What is TRICARE for Life?
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is a Medicare-wraparound benefit available to TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries who have both Medicare Part A and Part B. It is available regardless of age or place of residence - including overseas.
TFL has no enrollment fee or monthly premium. You simply need to maintain your Medicare Part B enrollment and keep your Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) record current.
What It Covers
- All TRICARE-eligible military retirees, their dependents, and survivors who have Medicare Part A and Part B
- Retired uniformed service members (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, NOAA, PHS)
- Medicare-eligible dependents of active duty and retired service members
- Survivors of deceased service members who are Medicare-eligible
- Available worldwide - including overseas where Medicare typically does not pay
What It Doesn't Cover
- Active duty service members (covered by TRICARE Prime)
- TRICARE-eligible individuals who have not enrolled in Medicare Part B
Must Have Medicare Part B
You must enroll in Medicare Part B to keep TRICARE For Life. If you drop Part B, you lose TFL coverage. The $185.00/month Part B premium is the only cost to maintain TFL.
How Medicare and TRICARE Coordinate Benefits
Medicare is always the primary payer; TRICARE For Life is always the secondary payer. The coordination depends on what type of provider you see and what services are covered.
What It Covers
- Both Medicare and TRICARE cover the service: Medicare pays its share first; TFL pays the remaining cost-share and deductible → $0 out-of-pocket for you
- Only Medicare covers the service: Medicare pays; you pay the Medicare deductible and 20% cost-share; TFL pays nothing
- Only TRICARE covers the service (e.g., overseas care): TRICARE processes as primary payer; you pay applicable TRICARE deductible and cost-share
- Neither covers the service: You are responsible for the entire bill
- Medicare opt-out providers: Medicare pays nothing; TRICARE pays up to 20% of the TRICARE-allowable charge; you pay the rest
Claims are Automatic
When you see a Medicare participating provider, claims automatically cross over from Medicare to TRICARE. You typically do not need to file a separate TRICARE claim.
2026 TRICARE For Life Costs
TFL has no enrollment fee or premium beyond the Medicare Part B premium. Your out-of-pocket costs depend on the type of service and whether it is covered by Medicare, TRICARE, both, or neither.
What It Covers
- TFL premium: $0 (no enrollment fee)
- Medicare Part B premium: $185.00/month (2026 standard rate)
- Services covered by both Medicare and TRICARE: $0 out-of-pocket
- TFL catastrophic cap: $3,000/calendar year (after which TFL covers 100% of TRICARE-covered services)
- Pharmacy: Covered through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program (generic $0 at military pharmacy, $14 at retail network)
- TRICARE deductible (for TRICARE-only services): $150/individual, $300/family (E-4 and above)
What It Doesn't Cover
- Services not covered by Medicare or TRICARE - you pay 100%
- Medicare opt-out provider charges above TRICARE-allowable amount
TRICARE for Life vs. Medicare Advantage
Military retirees with TFL can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, but the interaction is more complex than with Original Medicare.
What It Covers
- You can keep TFL if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan
- The MA plan becomes your primary payer (instead of Original Medicare)
- TFL is secondary for TRICARE-covered services
- MA claims do not automatically cross over to TRICARE - you may need to submit claims manually
- Some MA plans offer additional benefits (dental, vision, hearing) that TFL does not cover
What It Doesn't Cover
- MA network restrictions may limit your provider choices compared to Original Medicare + TFL
- Automatic claims crossover does not work with MA plans - extra administrative burden
- Most TFL beneficiaries find Original Medicare + TFL simpler and more cost-effective than MA + TFL
MA ++ TFL is More Complex
Most military retirees are better served by Original Medicare + TRICARE For Life than by switching to a Medicare Advantage plan. MA claims don't automatically cross over to TFL, and MA network restrictions may reduce your provider access.
Overseas Coverage with TRICARE for Life
One of TFL's most valuable features is overseas coverage. Medicare generally does not pay for care outside the U.S. and its territories, but TRICARE For Life does.
What It Covers
- When Medicare doesn't cover overseas care, TRICARE processes the claim as the primary payer
- You pay the applicable TRICARE deductible and cost-share
- TRICARE network providers overseas offer lower out-of-pocket costs
- Overseas pharmacy coverage through TRICARE Pharmacy Program
What It Doesn't Cover
- Care not covered by TRICARE overseas - you pay 100%
- TRICARE-allowable charge limits apply; charges above the allowable amount are your responsibility
2026 TRICARE For Life Cost Summary
| Scenario | Medicare Pays | TRICARE For Life Pays | Your Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both Medicare & TRICARE cover service (participating provider) | 80% of approved amount | Remaining 20% + deductible | $0 |
| Only Medicare covers service | 80% of approved amount | $0 | 20% + Medicare deductible |
| Only TRICARE covers service (e.g., overseas) | $0 | TRICARE-allowable charge | TRICARE deductible + cost-share |
| Medicare opt-out provider | $0 | Up to 20% of TRICARE-allowable | Remaining balance |
| Neither Medicare nor TRICARE covers | $0 | $0 | 100% of bill |
| After $3,000 catastrophic cap | Normal share | 100% of TRICARE-covered services | $0 for TRICARE-covered services |
✦ Important Exceptions & Notes
DEERS Enrollment is Required
You must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to use TRICARE For Life. Keep your DEERS record current - especially after marriage, divorce, or a dependent's change in status. Call 1-800-538-9552 to update DEERS.
Keep DEERS current or you may lose TFL access.
Losing TRICARE Eligibility Means Losing TFL
If you lose your TRICARE eligibility (e.g., divorce from a service member, certain criminal convictions), you also lose TRICARE For Life. You would then need to find alternative supplemental coverage such as a Medigap plan.
Part D and TRICARE Pharmacy
TRICARE's pharmacy benefit is considered creditable coverage for Medicare Part D. You do not need to enroll in a separate Part D plan if you have TFL - and you won't face a Part D late enrollment penalty as long as you maintain TRICARE coverage.
TRICARE pharmacy = creditable Part D coverage. No Part D penalty.
Medigap and TRICARE for Life
You generally do not need a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan if you have TRICARE For Life. TFL already acts as wraparound coverage similar to Medigap Plan F or G. Purchasing both would be redundant and wasteful.
✦ 2026 TRICARE & Medicare Updates
TFL Catastrophic Cap Remains $3,000 in 2026
PassedThe TRICARE For Life catastrophic cap remains at $3,000/calendar year in 2026, providing a hard limit on out-of-pocket costs for TFL beneficiaries.
Medicare Part B Premium Increased to $185.00 in 2026
PassedThe standard Medicare Part B premium increased to $185.00/month in 2026 (from $174.70 in 2025). This is the only premium TFL beneficiaries must pay to maintain TFL coverage.
TRICARE Pharmacy Costs Updated for 2026–2027
PassedTRICARE pharmacy costs were updated for 2026 and 2027. Generic drugs at military pharmacies remain $0; retail network generics are $14/fill.
TRICARE for Life Enrollment Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your TRICARE For Life coverage is active and properly coordinated with Medicare.
Action Steps
- Enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B at age 65 (or when you become Medicare-eligible) to activate TFL
- Verify your DEERS record is current at milConnect.dmdc.osd.mil or call 1-800-538-9552
- Do NOT drop Medicare Part B - losing Part B means losing TRICARE For Life
- When seeing a provider, use your Medicare card first; TFL will automatically receive the crossover claim
- For overseas care, use your TRICARE ID card; submit claims to WPS Government Services if needed
- Do not enroll in a separate Part D plan - TRICARE pharmacy is creditable coverage
- Consider whether a Medigap plan is needed - most TFL beneficiaries do not need one
- If you enroll in Medicare Advantage, be aware that TFL claims will not automatically cross over
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
David Haass
AuthorDavid Haass is a licensed insurance agent and Medicare specialist at MedicareFAQ.com.
Ashlee Zareczny
ReviewerAshlee Zareczny is the Compliance & Editorial Manager at MedicareFAQ.