Military retirees; understand the transition from TRICARE to TRICARE For Life!
When a military retiree turns 65, standard TRICARE ends on the last day of the prior month and automatically transitions into TRICARE For Life (TFL), which requires enrollment in both Medicare Part A and Part B.
Key Steps and Rules
- Sign Up for Medicare: You must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. Enrollment should be completed through Social Security 1 to 3 months before your birth month to avoid any gap in health coverage. If you are already receiving Social Security, you will be enrolled automatically and should receive your card in the mail approximately 3 months prior to your birth month.
- Part B does have a monthly premium (2026 = $202.90 per month, adjusted annually) and if you are already collecting Social Security the premium will be automatically deducted, otherwise you will need to pay it online.
- TRICARE For Life Coverage: TFL acts as your secondary payer, covering your Medicare deductibles and 20% coinsurance. It also includes a robust pharmacy benefit, meaning you do not need a separate Medicare Part D plan.
- Update Your ID Card: Your military ID card expires on the first day of your 65th birthday month. Wait until you receive your Medicare card, then update your status through the DEERS / ID Card Office Online.
- Family Members: TFL only covers the Medicare-eligible individual. Younger spouses or dependents under 65 keep standard TRICARE Prime or Select until they turn 65.
If you have TRICARE For Life (TFL), you generally do not need a Medicare Advantage plan and adding one limits your freedom of choice.
TFL acts as a robust, free "wraparound" supplement to Original Medicare (Parts A & B), meaning your out-of-pocket costs are typically zero when seeing any provider who accepts Medicare. TFL also covers prescription drugs through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, and you do not need to sign up for Medicare Part D.
While you can technically combine TFL with a Medicare Advantage Plan, most experts (and the consensus among military healthcare beneficiaries) recommend keeping Original Medicare + TFL instead.