What TRICARE For Life is
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is Medicare-wraparound coverage for people who are TRICARE-eligible and have Medicare Part A and Part B. For services that both Medicare and TRICARE cover, Medicare pays its share and TFL pays the rest, so you generally owe nothing.
In Washington, many military retirees live near Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Pierce County), Naval Base Kitsap (Kitsap County), Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (Island County) and Fairchild Air Force Base (Spokane County). TFL works the same wherever you live in the United States.
You must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B
This is the critical rule: TRICARE For Life requires you to have Medicare Part A and Part B. If you have Part A but not Part B, you lose your TRICARE coverage.
Even if you've used military hospitals or the VA throughout retirement, sign up for Part B when you first become eligible for Medicare. Medicare becomes your primary coverage and TFL pays second. There's no separate TFL enrollment and no TFL card: coverage starts automatically when your Part A and Part B take effect, and your Medicare card and uniformed services ID card are your proof of coverage. Make sure your information in DEERS (the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) is correct.
You still pay the Part B premium ($202.90 a month standard in 2026; higher with higher income, see IRMAA). There is no TFL enrollment fee. Most people get Part A without a premium because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while working.
How TFL works
- You go to a doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.
- Your provider bills Medicare first. For most Part B services, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount after the deductible.
- Medicare forwards the claim to the TFL claims processor.
- TFL pays its share for TRICARE-covered services.
- For services both programs cover, you generally owe nothing.
For services TRICARE covers but Medicare doesn't, TRICARE pays and you pay TRICARE's deductible and cost share. For services only Medicare covers, you pay Medicare's deductible and cost share. If neither covers a service, you can owe the full charge.
Outside the U.S. and its territories, Medicare doesn't pay, so TRICARE is the primary payer and you pay TRICARE's deductible and cost shares. You must keep Part B to stay TRICARE-eligible even if you live overseas.
What TFL covers that Medicare alone doesn't
- Most Medicare cost sharing (deductibles, coinsurance, copays) for services both programs cover
- Prescription drugs through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program
- Some services TRICARE covers that Medicare doesn't
- Care at military hospitals and clinics, such as Madigan Army Medical Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, when space is available
TRICARE Pharmacy and Part D
TRICARE says its pharmacy benefit is creditable prescription drug coverage, so you don't need a Medicare Part D plan to have drug coverage and won't face a Part D late enrollment penalty for relying on it. Express Scripts administers the TRICARE pharmacy benefit.
A Part D plan can still be worth a look if you take drugs TRICARE doesn't cover. If you have both, Medicare pays first and TRICARE pays last. If you later lose TRICARE coverage, you get a Special Enrollment Period to join a Part D plan.
Medicare Advantage and TFL
You can join a Medicare Advantage plan and keep TFL. The plan covers your Part A and Part B services and often includes Part D drug coverage. You usually need to use the plan's network except for emergencies, and you may pay copayments when you get care; TRICARE can reimburse copayments for TFL-covered services.
With Original Medicare, TFL already pays most of the cost sharing that a Medigap policy would cover for other people, and you can see any provider that accepts Medicare. Whether a Medicare Advantage plan makes sense depends on its network, rules and costs compared with how you use care. You can see plans in your ZIP code, or a licensed insurance agent with Benefits Life can walk through plans from the companies they work with: (206) SENIORS (206-736-4677), TTY 711.
Madigan Army Medical Center (JBLM)
Madigan Army Medical Center is on Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Pierce County. Once you move to TFL, you may get care at a military hospital or clinic only if space is available. If you had a primary care manager there under TRICARE Prime, you don't keep that assignment when you turn 65.
Some military hospitals and clinics offer TRICARE Plus, which lets eligible beneficiaries enroll for primary care at that facility. Ask the facility whether it has openings. For most retirees, civilian providers that accept Medicare provide most care.
VA health benefits and TFL
If you also have VA health benefits, you can use them alongside Medicare and TFL. VA doesn't bill Medicare or TFL for care you get at a VA facility. Some Washington veterans use the VA for some care and Medicare with TFL for the rest. More on the VA and Medicare.
For surviving spouses
TRICARE says surviving spouses can keep their TRICARE coverage until they remarry. A surviving spouse who has Medicare needs Part A and Part B to have TFL, like any other TFL beneficiary. Update DEERS after the sponsor's death so your eligibility is correct.
Where to get help
- TRICARE For Life (WPS Government Services), U.S. and territories: 1-866-773-0404 (TDD 1-866-773-0405)
- TRICARE Pharmacy (Express Scripts): 1-877-363-1303
- Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
- Medicare enrollment (Part A and Part B): Social Security, ssa.gov/medicare
Sources
- TRICARE — TRICARE For Life
- TRICARE — Becoming Medicare-eligible
- TRICARE — If I have Medicare and TRICARE, do I need Medicare Part D?
- TRICARE — Keeping a military primary care manager after moving to TRICARE For Life
- TRICARE — Survivors
- eCFR — 42 CFR 423.56(b)(7), TRICARE as creditable drug coverage
- VA — Veterans turning 65: VA health care, Medicare and TRICARE For Life
- Medicare.gov — Medicare costs
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to enroll in Medicare to keep TRICARE For Life?
Yes. TRICARE For Life requires Medicare Part A and Part B. If you have Part A but not Part B, you lose TRICARE coverage, and without Part B you can fill prescriptions only at military pharmacies.
Do TFL beneficiaries need Part D?
Usually not for drug coverage. TRICARE says its pharmacy benefit is creditable prescription drug coverage, so you won't owe a Part D late enrollment penalty if you rely on it. You might still look at a Part D plan for drugs TRICARE doesn't cover; if you have both, Medicare pays first.
Can I have Medicare Advantage with TRICARE For Life?
Yes. A Medicare Advantage plan covers your Part A and Part B services, usually through a network, and you may pay copayments at the time of service. TRICARE For Life still pays after the plan for TRICARE-covered services and can reimburse copayments. Compare the plan's network and rules with how you use care before you decide.
Can I still use Madigan Army Medical Center?
Once you move to TRICARE For Life, you may get care at a military hospital or clinic, such as Madigan on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, only when space is available. Some facilities offer TRICARE Plus, which lets you enroll for primary care there; ask the facility whether it is available.
Where can I get help with the TFL transition?
For TRICARE For Life claims in the U.S., call WPS Government Services at 1-866-773-0404 (TDD 1-866-773-0405). For pharmacy, call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303. For Medicare enrollment, contact Social Security. A licensed insurance agent with Benefits Life can also answer Medicare questions.
Medicare in your Washington county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Adams · Asotin · Benton · Chelan · Clallam · Clark · Columbia · Cowlitz · Douglas · Ferry · Franklin · Garfield · Grant · Grays Harbor · Island · Jefferson · King · Kitsap · Kittitas · Klickitat · Lewis · Lincoln · Mason · Okanogan · Pacific · Pend Oreille · Pierce · San Juan · Skagit · Skamania · Snohomish · Spokane · Stevens · Thurston · Wahkiakum · Walla Walla · Whatcom · Whitman · Yakima
