What TRICARE For Life is
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is TRICARE coverage for people who are TRICARE eligible and have Medicare. It is for many military retirees, their spouses and some survivors. TRICARE says TFL works no matter your age or where you live, but it does not stretch to family members. Each person needs their own eligibility.
TFL is a second payer. For care that both programs cover, Medicare pays its share first. Then the claim goes to TFL, which pays what is left. Most of the time this happens on its own, without you filing a claim.
You need Part A and Part B to keep TFL
This is the rule that matters most. TRICARE says your TFL coverage starts the day both Medicare Part A and Part B are in effect, and you must pay the Part B premium. If you drop Part B, you put your TFL at risk. You can see this year's Part B premium on our costs page.
TRICARE also says there is no enrollment fee for TFL. Your cost to keep it is mainly your Medicare premium.
Who pays first
This table follows the one TRICARE publishes for care in the United States and U.S. territories.
| If the care is covered by | Medicare pays | TFL pays | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both Medicare and TRICARE | Its approved amount, first | The rest | Nothing |
| Medicare only | Its approved amount | Nothing | Medicare's deductible and your share |
| TRICARE only | Nothing | Its allowed amount | TRICARE's deductible and your share |
| Neither one | Nothing | Nothing | The full bill |
Two notes. If you still have health insurance through your own job or a spouse's current job, TRICARE says that plan pays before TFL. And outside the U.S., Medicare generally does not pay, so TRICARE becomes the first payer and you pay its deductible and share.
Prescriptions go through TRICARE Pharmacy
With TFL, you keep the TRICARE Pharmacy Program for covered drugs. TRICARE says you do not need Medicare Part D to have TFL, and that TRICARE pharmacy coverage counts as creditable coverage. That means no Part D late penalty for skipping Part D while you have it.
If you do join a Part D plan, the Part D plan pays first and TRICARE pays last. TRICARE has also changed coverage for some drugs, such as weight loss drugs, for TFL members. If you take one of those, ask us to look at your list.
Do you need a Medicare Supplement?
Often, no. A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) pays costs that Original Medicare leaves behind. For care both programs cover, TFL already pays what is left after Medicare. So many people with TFL find a Supplement would pay for the same gap twice.
There are cases where it may still be worth a look, and TRICARE allows you to keep other insurance alongside TFL. Before you buy or drop a Supplement, let us review your situation. If you do not need one, we will tell you so.
Medicare Advantage with TFL
TRICARE says you will not lose TFL if you join a Medicare Advantage plan. Some people choose one for extras like dental or vision. But there are trade-offs to weigh:
- You may pay a monthly plan premium on top of Part B.
- You generally have to use the plan's network for care that is not an emergency.
- You may pay copays at the visit, then file a claim with TFL to be paid back.
- Networks can change from year to year.
If extras like dental are what you want, there may be other ways to get them. We can show you the plans we offer side by side with what you have now.
Call us first. Before you drop Part B, add a Supplement or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan, talk with a local agent. Call (816) 307-6165 or book a free review. It is free, and there is no pressure.
Questions people ask us
Do I have to keep Part B to keep TRICARE For Life?
Yes, in most cases. TRICARE says you need both Medicare Part A and Part B to have TFL, and you must pay the Part B premium. If you are thinking about dropping Part B, call us or TRICARE first.
Is there a fee to enroll in TRICARE For Life?
No. TRICARE says there is no enrollment fee for TFL. You still pay your Medicare Part B premium (and Part A, if you owe one).
Does TRICARE For Life cover my spouse?
TFL covers each person who is TRICARE eligible and has Medicare Part A and Part B. Coverage is not shared, so your spouse needs their own eligibility and their own Medicare.
Do I need a Medicare Part D plan with TFL?
TRICARE says you do not need Part D to have TFL. You can keep using the TRICARE Pharmacy Program. If you do join a Part D plan, it pays first and TRICARE pays last.
Will I lose TFL if I join a Medicare Advantage plan?
No. TRICARE says you will not lose TFL if you sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan. You would need to use the plan network and may need to file TRICARE claims yourself.