TRICARE For Life pays your Medicare Part B premium in full if you meet the program's requirements
TRICARE For Life is a health plan for military retirees and their families who are age 65 or older and enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B. If you may have access to for TRICARE For Life, the program covers your entire Medicare Part B premium — you pay nothing out of pocket for that cost. This is one of the program's core benefits, designed to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses that come with Medicare.
The key word is "if you may have access to." Not every military retiree or family member automatically gets TRICARE For Life. You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part B, and you must meet specific military service or family status requirements. Once you meet those conditions and enroll in TRICARE For Life, the premium payment happens automatically — TRICARE For Life pays it directly to Medicare on your behalf.
Key Takeaways
- TRICARE For Life covers the full Medicare Part B premium for those who meet enrollment requirements, with no monthly premium cost to you.
- You must be age 65 or older, enrolled in Medicare Part A, and enrolled in Medicare Part B to be may be able to access for TRICARE For Life.
- Military retirees, their spouses, and survivors may may have access to, but the specific rules depend on your military service category and when you retired.
- You must enroll in TRICARE For Life during your initial may be able to access window or during the annual open season to receive the premium benefit.
- TRICARE For Life also covers Medicare cost-sharing (copays, coinsurance, and deductibles) in addition to paying your Part B premium.
Who qualifies for TRICARE For Life and the Part B premium benefit
To receive the Medicare Part B premium benefit through TRICARE For Life, you must first meet the basic enrollment requirements. You must be age 65 or older, enrolled in Medicare Part A, and enrolled in Medicare Part B. You also must be a military retiree, a family member of a military retiree, a survivor of a military member, or a former spouse who meets specific length-of-marriage and service requirements.
The military service category matters. If you are a retiree who served on active duty and retired through the Department of Defense, you generally may have access to. If you are the spouse or survivor of such a retiree, you may may have access to. If you are a former spouse, the rules are stricter — you typically must have been married to the service member for at least 20 years, and the service member must have been on active duty for at least 20 of those years. Reserve and National Guard members who retired under specific provisions may also may have access to, but the rules vary by service branch and retirement date.
The simplest way to know whether you may have access to is to contact TRICARE directly or visit the TRICARE website and use their may be able to access checker. You will need your Social Security number and military service information. If you are unsure about your status, TRICARE can confirm it before you enroll.
How TRICARE For Life pays your Medicare Part B premium
Once you are enrolled in TRICARE For Life, the program handles the Medicare Part B premium payment automatically. You do not submit a bill or make a payment yourself. TRICARE For Life sends the premium directly to Medicare each month. The amount varies slightly from year to year — Medicare Part B premiums increase annually — but TRICARE For Life covers whatever the current premium is.
The premium payment is separate from the other cost-sharing that TRICARE For Life covers. In addition to paying your Part B premium, TRICARE For Life also covers Medicare deductibles, copays, and coinsurance when you receive care from a Medicare-participating provider. This means your out-of-pocket costs for medical services are typically very low or zero.
If you have other health insurance in addition to Medicare and TRICARE For Life — such as coverage through a current employer or a retiree health plan — TRICARE For Life coordinates with that coverage. The coordination rules determine which plan pays first, but TRICARE For Life will still cover your Medicare Part B premium regardless of other coverage you hold.
When to enroll in TRICARE For Life to find the premium benefit
Timing matters for TRICARE For Life enrollment. The best time to enroll is during your initial may be able to access period, which begins the month you turn 65 and lasts for 90 days. If you enroll during this window, your coverage typically starts on the first day of the month in which you turn 65 or the first day of the following month, depending on when you submit your enrollment.
If you miss your initial may be able to access period, you can still enroll during the annual open season, which runs from November 1 through December 31 each year. Enrollment during open season takes effect on January 1 of the following year. If you enroll outside these windows, you may face a delay in coverage or may not be able to enroll at all until the next open season.
You enroll in TRICARE For Life through the Defense Enrollment may be able to access Reporting System (DEERS) online, by phone, or by mail. You will need your Medicare card, your military ID or proof of military service, and your Social Security number. The enrollment process itself is free — there is no enrollment fee for TRICARE For Life.
What happens to your Part B premium if you do not enroll in TRICARE For Life
If you are may be able to access for TRICARE For Life but do not enroll, you are still responsible for paying your Medicare Part B premium directly to Medicare. The standard Part B premium is the same for all Medicare beneficiaries, but it increases each year. If you delay enrollment beyond your initial may be able to access period and do not enroll during open season, you may also face a permanent penalty on your premium — a surcharge that increases your monthly cost for as long as you have Medicare Part B.
The late enrollment penalty is calculated as a percentage of the standard Part B premium and is added to your premium each month. The longer you go without Part B coverage after you become may be able to access, the higher the penalty. This penalty does not go away, even if you later enroll in TRICARE For Life. For this reason, enrolling during your initial may be able to access period or during open season is important if you want to avoid this extra cost.
If you have other creditable coverage — such as employer-sponsored retiree health insurance — you may be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty, but you must document that coverage and meet specific requirements. TRICARE For Life itself is considered creditable coverage, so enrolling in TRICARE For Life protects you from the late enrollment penalty.
TRICARE For Life coverage beyond the Medicare Part B premium
While the Medicare Part B premium benefit is significant, TRICARE For Life covers much more. The program acts as a secondary payer to Medicare, meaning Medicare pays first for covered services, and TRICARE For Life covers most or all of the remaining cost-sharing. This includes Medicare Part A deductibles, Part B deductibles, copays for doctor visits, coinsurance for hospital stays, and other out-of-pocket costs.
TRICARE For Life also covers some services that Medicare does not, such as certain preventive care and some prescription drugs. However, TRICARE For Life does not cover everything — some services, such as routine dental care and vision exams, are not covered by either Medicare or TRICARE For Life. You can purchase supplemental coverage for these services if you wish.
Because TRICARE For Life covers so much of your cost-sharing, your total out-of-pocket medical expenses are typically much lower than they would be with Medicare alone. This is especially valuable if you have chronic conditions or use medical services frequently.
How to verify your TRICARE For Life enrollment and premium payments
Once you enroll in TRICARE For Life, you can check your enrollment status and view your coverage details through the TRICARE online portal. You can log in with your username and password to see your active coverage, your beneficiary information, and your claims history. The portal also shows you how TRICARE For Life has paid claims on your behalf.
You can also verify that your Medicare Part B premium is being paid by checking your Medicare account on Medicare.gov. Log in to your account and look at your payment history. You should see that your Part B premium is being paid each month. If you notice that a premium payment is missing or if you receive a bill from Medicare for your Part B premium, contact TRICARE when ready to report the issue.
If you have questions about your enrollment, your coverage, or your premium payments, you can contact TRICARE by phone, through their website, or by visiting a TRICARE office. TRICARE customer service representatives can answer questions about your specific situation and help you resolve any billing issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay anything for TRICARE For Life if it covers my Medicare Part B premium?
TRICARE For Life itself has no monthly premium — it is free for those who may have access to. However, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part A premium if you have one (most retirees do not). TRICARE For Life covers your Part B premium in full, but you are responsible for any other costs not covered by Medicare or TRICARE For Life, such as services outside the Medicare network.
What if I enroll in Medicare Part B after I turn 65?
If you delay enrolling in Medicare Part B, you can still enroll in TRICARE For Life once you are enrolled in both Part A and Part B. However, you may face a late enrollment penalty on your Part B premium. TRICARE For Life will cover your Part B premium, but the penalty will be added to that premium and will remain for the rest of your life.
Can I have TRICARE For Life and other health insurance at the same time?
Yes. TRICARE For Life can work alongside employer-sponsored coverage, retiree health plans, or other insurance. TRICARE For Life coordinates with other coverage to determine which plan pays first. Your Medicare Part B premium is still covered by TRICARE For Life regardless of other insurance you hold.
What if I move outside the United States?
TRICARE For Life coverage varies depending on where you live. If you move to a U.S. territory or a foreign country, contact TRICARE to understand how your coverage changes. Your Medicare Part B premium will still be covered, but your access to TRICARE providers and services may differ based on your location.
Does TRICARE For Life cover my spouse's Medicare Part B premium?
Only if your spouse is also enrolled in TRICARE For Life and meets the may be able to access requirements. Your spouse must be age 65 or older, enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, and have military service or family status that qualifies them for TRICARE. Each person must enroll separately in TRICARE For Life to receive the premium benefit.