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The TRICARE system is one of the many managed healthcare plans offered by the Veterans Administration (VA) Healthcare System, intended to provide comprehensive medical coverage to Servicemembers, Veterans, Retirees, and their families. TRICARE insurance offers a variety of different plans for military personnel, based on their type and length of service in the US Armed Forces. You can read more about the TRICARE system in general at this link.
Those who have retired from service may also utilize TRICARE. The various plans offered to retirees through the TRICARE insurance system are numerous and come with a variety of different benefits. Read on to learn more.
What is TRICARE for Retired Military Members?
TRICARE for retired military members is a system of managed care for US Armed Forces personnel that operates through a variety of VA-funded hospitals and clinics, as well as civilian medical professionals who partner with the VA system. TRICARE for retired military members involves a series of different TRICARE insurance plans that cover both the retiree and their dependents. The TRICARE retired benefits might differ from TRICARE plans for active duty and overseas Servicemembers. Most TRICARE insurance plans cover preventative and ongoing health maintenance, prescriptions, dental plans, and, in some cases, special programs for those special needs, such as mental health and hospice care.
The primary difference between TRICARE retired plans and plans for active duty is that retirees typically have to pay a monthly premium or enrollment fee for their coverage, while active duty service members generally do not. This usually means that retirees might face a higher out-of-pocket cost for healthcare compared to active-duty personnel. They also might have more limited access to military treatment facilities, requiring them to utilize civilian facilities more frequently.
TRICARE Plans for Retired Military Members
TRICARE retired is not just one system but instead is a category of different types of plans and services offered to Servicemembers and Veterans. Retired military members have a variety of different TRICARE insurance plans to select from, including:
TRICARE Prime: This is a managed care option for eligible military beneficiaries who are not yet eligible for Medicare.
TRICARE Select: This is a self-managed preferred provider organization, or PPO, available to retired Servicemembers within the United States.
US Family Health Plan: This is only available in certain US locations but includes retirees and their families. It provides comprehensive medical and prescription drug coverage through a network of non-profit healthcare providers.
TRICARE for Life: This is a specific plan that is designed to work in conjunction with Medicare Part A and Part B coverage, where Medicare is the primary insurance, but fills in any gaps left by Medicare coverage, such as prescriptions.
TRICARE Select Overseas: This is an option for retired military members living overseas who prefer to utilize civilian healthcare providers in different countries.
TRICARE Retired Reserve: This is a premium-based healthcare plan available to qualified retired members of the National Guard and Reserve under the age of 60 and eligible family members.
The plan that a retired service member ultimately chooses depends largely on eligibility, age, and location.
Dental Options for Retired Military Members
TRICARE for retired military members does not automatically include a dental plan. If a retired Servicemember wants to access a dental option, they must do so through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program or FEDVIP. This allows retirees to choose a dental plan from a variety of providers offered by the Office of Personnel Management. The way this works is that retired military members do not have a dedicated dental or vision program within the overall system but instead must enroll in a separate program. The FEDVIP offers dental plan options with varying coverage levels, allowing the Servicemember to choose a plan that suits their needs. You can only enroll in this plan during the federal benefits open season or following a qualifying life event, like an accident.
Eligibility Criteria for TRICARE for Retired Military Members
Any member of the US Armed Forces qualifies for the various TRICARE for retirees plans. Coverage extends to Veterans, Servicemembers who are medically retired military, retirees from the National Guard or Reserve, and, in many cases, their families as well. To be eligible for TRICARE as a retired military member or TRICARE retired reserve, you must meet the following TRICARE eligibility requirements.
- You must be at least 60 years old.
- You must be receiving military retired pay.
- You must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), which is verified at the time of enrollment.
- Once you turn 60, you have a 90-day window to enroll in a plan.
Read more about how the families of retired service members can benefit from TRICARE plans in this article. In general, most families of retired Servicemembers do indeed qualify for TRICARE coverage.
How to Enroll in TRICARE After Retirement
As mentioned above, once you turn 60, you have 90 days to enroll in your selected TRICARE plan as a retired Servicemember. You must also do this through the open enrollment season, which typically runs between November 10 and December 10 every year. To do so, follow these steps:
- Update in DEERS: Verify and update all of your personal information in the system to ensure that your eligibility is accurate.
- Access milConnect: Log into the milConnect website for TRICARE online enrollment and access the Beneficiary Web Enrollment (BWE) portal.
- Choose a plan: Select the appropriate TRICARE plan that is relevant to your needs and location, such as TRICARE Prime, TRICARE-FL, or TRICARE-S. If you plan to utilize Medicare, be sure to speak with a VA resource officer before enrolling. You will need to decide whether TRICARE or Medicare will be your primary insurance.
- Enroll online: Complete the enrollment process through the BWE portal on milConnect. This online portal lets you change beneficiaries, personal information, and check medical claim status.
- Contact your regional contractor: If you do not have internet access or feel uncomfortable enrolling online, you can call your local VA clinic or office and speak with a TRICARE specialist to verify your TRICARE eligibility and enroll by phone.
- Mail in the enrollment form: You can also download and mail a completed enrollment form (DD Form 2896-1/TRICARE Retired) to your regional officer.
Frequently Asked Questions about TRICARE Retired Coverage
These are some of the more common questions people have about TRICARE Retired for Military Members.
TRICARE for Life is different from other TRICARE plans in that it is more of a supplement to Medicare for eligible beneficiaries. To access TRICARE for Life, you must already have Medicare.
TRICARE for Life is different from other TRICARE plans in that it is more of a supplement to Medicare for eligible beneficiaries. To access TRICARE for Life, you must already have Medicare.
Yes, you can, especially if you are medically retired military.
This depends on the plan you have chosen, but the premiums can be higher than active duty costs, with additional co-pays and deductibles for medical services. In 2024, a single member may pay around $585 a month, while a family plan might cost $1400 a month.
TRICARE for retired military members does not always include dental and vision as part of its coverage. Instead, retired Servicemembers can access dental coverage through FEDVIP.
Both plans are part of the system, but they may vary in terms of cost, provider selection, and referral management. TRICARE Prime is a managed care option similar to an HMO and uses military hospitals and clinics. TRICARE Select is a self-managed care option similar to a PPO and allows more freedom of choice with civilian providers.
No, they do not. Until the National Guard or reserve member turns 60, they must remain on the TRICARE plans for the specific branches of the military. If they are 60 and older, National Guard reserve members become eligible for the same benefits as other retired service members.
Yes, depending on your particular set of circumstances, you may be eligible for TRICARE for retirees.
You can access your TRICARE online benefits through the milConnect website and use the BWE feature to access your account, view details, and make changes to your plan. You can also use this platform to enroll in a new plan if you choose.
