NATIONAL INSURANCE GUIDE

TRICARE Program

🇺🇸 TRICARE for Military Families: Benefits and Enrollment Guide

TRICARE is the U.S. Department of Defense’s health care program for active duty service members (ADSMs), National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, and their families. It combines military health resources with civilian care networks to provide comprehensive coverage worldwide.

🏥 What TRICARE Covers

TRICARE plans offer:

Inpatient and outpatient care
Emergency services
Prescription drug coverage
Maternity and newborn care
Mental health and substance use services
Preventive services (vaccines, screenings, wellness exams)
Durable medical equipment and skilled nursing
Some dental and vision benefits (depending on plan)

Coverage is robust and often has low or no cost for active-duty families.

📋 TRICARE Program Options

There are several TRICARE plans depending on military status, location, and eligibility:

TRICARE Prime

For ADSM and their families
Requires enrollment and Primary Care Manager (PCM)
Lowest out-of-pocket costs
Referral needed for specialty care

TRICARE Select

Available to all eligible beneficiaries (except active-duty members)
No referrals required; freedom to choose providers
Higher out-of-pocket costs than Prime

TRICARE For Life (TFL)

For military retirees with Medicare Part A & B
Wraps around Medicare and covers remaining costs
Works like Medigap for military retirees

TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)

For National Guard and Reserve members not on active duty
Premium-based coverage with nationwide access

TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)

For retired members of the Reserve Component
Requires premium payments
Offers comprehensive coverage before Medicare eligibility

TRICARE Young Adult (TYA)

For children aged 21–26 who are no longer eligible for regular TRICARE
Can choose Prime or Select option
Monthly premium required

US Family Health Plan (USFHP)

Available in select regions
An alternative to Prime, with private providers

🌎 Global Coverage

TRICARE also provides international coverage via TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) for families stationed abroad, with access to:

Host-nation providers
Telemedicine in some regions
Emergency evacuation (when medically necessary)

👨‍👩‍👧 Eligibility

TRICARE is available to:

Active Duty and their families
National Guard/Reserves and their families
Retired military and their families
Medal of Honor recipients
Certain survivors and former spouses
Dependent children (up to age 21 or 26 if enrolled in college)

Verify eligibility via DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System).

➡️ https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil

📝 How to Enroll

Enrollment depends on status:

Active-duty families are automatically enrolled in TRICARE Prime
Others can enroll via:
- Beneficiary Web Enrollment (BWE): https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil
- Phone: Call your regional contractor
- Mail: Submit the TRICARE enrollment form (DD Form 2876)

Enrollment is required during Qualifying Life Events (QLEs) or during the TRICARE Open Season (typically mid-November to mid-December).

📍 TRICARE Regional Contractors

Region	Contractor	Phone	Website
East	Humana Military	1-800-444-5445	www.humanamilitary.com
West	Health Net Federal Services	1-844-866-9378	www.tricare-west.com
Overseas	International SOS	+44-20-8762-8384 (Global)	www.tricare-overseas.com

More contact info here: https://www.tricare.mil/ContactUs

💊 Pharmacy Benefits

TRICARE covers prescriptions via:

Military pharmacies (free)
TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery
Retail pharmacies (copays apply)

Manage prescriptions:
👉 https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com

💬 Support and Assistance

TRICARE offers 24/7 support through:

TRICARE Nurse Advice Line: 1-800-874-2273, option 1
Regional call centers
Online live chat via regional contractor portals

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance – Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance
Veterans’ Group Life Insurance – Veterans’ Group Life Insurance