Military Health, Tricare programs - Military Times

Tricare For Life

Medicare and Tricare both play a role in health coverage for older retirees. Medicare Part A covers hospitalization and sometimes nursing home and at-home care. Medicare Part B is an enrollment program for people ages 65 and up and for the disabled.

Coverage, to include physician fees, lab fees and other costs, requires paying monthly premiums.

Medicare-eligible beneficiaries who are entitled to Part A and purchase Medicare Part B can use Tricare as a secondary payer under the Tricare for Life option. Those eligible for Medicare Part A who do not enroll in Part B cannot get Tricare for Life coverage, with one exception: Medicare-eligible active-duty family members are not required to purchase Part B until the sponsor retires.

Tricare for Life works as a supplement to Medicare only in the U.S. because Medicare does not cover health care abroad. Overseas, seniors use Tricare, with the same cost shares as for younger retirees. They still must have Medicare Part B insurance to use Tricare.

People who did not work long enough under Social Security to become eligible for Medicare after age 65 should take steps to ensure they keep their Tricare coverage.

Complete information on Tricare for Life is online at http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/overview/plans/forlife.