What Is TRICARE for Life?
TRICARE for Life (TFL) is Medicare-wraparound coverage for TRICARE-eligible retirees, family members, and survivors who have Medicare Part A and Part B, regardless of age. It is not a separate health plan you actively enroll in; it's the automatic result of having both TRICARE eligibility and Medicare Parts A and B. There is no TFL enrollment card or application; DEERS and Medicare records establish eligibility automatically.
Who Qualifies for TRICARE for Life
- Military retirees (active duty, Guard, or Reserve who qualify for retired pay) once they have Medicare Part A and B, at any age, not just 65+. A retiree with Medicare due to disability, for example, qualifies for TFL before 65.
- Eligible family members and survivors of retirees who have Medicare Parts A and B.
- Medal of Honor recipients and their dependents with Medicare Parts A and B.
Active-duty service members and their families are not eligible for TFL; TFL is a retiree/survivor benefit. See our TRICARE options guide for the plans available to active-duty families.
How TRICARE for Life Works With Medicare
TFL is the second payer after Medicare for most civilian care in the United States. The order of payment is:
- Medicare pays first for Medicare-covered services from a Medicare-participating provider.
- TRICARE for Life pays second, generally covering most or all of what Medicare doesn't, including the Medicare Part B coinsurance and deductible for covered services.
- For services Medicare doesn't cover but TRICARE does, TRICARE becomes the primary payer.
- For services neither covers, you're responsible for the cost.
Overseas, where Medicare generally does not provide coverage, TRICARE for Life becomes the primary payer for TRICARE-covered services.
What TRICARE for Life Costs
- No TFL premium or enrollment fee: the benefit itself is free.
- You must pay your Medicare Part B premium to keep TFL active; this is set annually by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and is income-adjusted (IRMAA) for higher earners. Check the current premium at medicare.gov.
- Little to no out-of-pocket cost for services covered by both Medicare and TRICARE, since TFL typically picks up the Medicare-approved coinsurance and deductible.
- Retail pharmacy copays follow standard TRICARE Pharmacy Program rules; using military pharmacies or home delivery is typically cheapest.
What TRICARE for Life Covers
TFL covers TRICARE-authorized services, including care Medicare doesn't cover if TRICARE does, for example some overseas care, and certain preventive and dental-adjacent medical services covered by TRICARE's benefit rules. It does not replace Medicare Part D (prescription drugs); TFL beneficiaries use the TRICARE Pharmacy Program instead, which functions as their prescription drug coverage without needing separate Part D enrollment.
Do I Need to Enroll in TRICARE for Life?
There is no separate TFL enrollment. You become TFL-eligible automatically once DEERS shows your TRICARE eligibility and Medicare shows active Part A and Part B coverage. The one action item is making sure you enroll in Medicare Part B when first eligible (usually around age 65, or earlier if eligible due to disability). Delaying Part B enrollment without a valid reason can mean a lifetime late-enrollment penalty from Medicare and a gap in your TFL wraparound coverage.
Key Differences From Regular TRICARE Plans
- No separate TFL enrollment, no monthly TFL premium (only the Medicare Part B premium).
- No primary care manager or referral requirements: you can see any Medicare-participating provider.
- Worldwide coverage, with TRICARE becoming primary payer overseas where Medicare doesn't apply.
For a full comparison of every TRICARE plan option before you're TFL-eligible, see our TRICARE 2026 plans and eligibility guide, or compare TRICARE Prime vs. Select.