TRICARE is the uniformed services health care program run by the Defense Health Agency (DHA). It covers more than 9.6 million beneficiaries worldwide. This guide explains TRICARE in plain English so you can pick the right plan for your family in 2026.
We cover eligibility, the major plan options, 2026 costs, open season dates, and how to enroll. This article is informational and not medical, legal, or financial advice. For personal coverage decisions, contact your regional TRICARE contractor or visit tricare.mil.
What is TRICARE?
TRICARE is the Department of Defense health plan. It combines care delivered at military hospitals and clinics with civilian network providers. The Defense Health Agency manages the program.
TRICARE serves active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, family members, survivors, and certain former spouses. Coverage is also available to Medal of Honor recipients and their families.
You access care through one of two stateside regions or the overseas region. East Region is managed by Humana Military. West Region is managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance starting in 2025.
How TRICARE fits with your other military benefits
TRICARE handles your active health care. The VA handles disability and many veteran-specific services after you separate. Learn more about VA benefits and how to file a VA claim if you have service-connected conditions.
If you are nearing retirement, review our military retirement guide to see how TRICARE coverage transitions when you leave service.
Who is eligible for TRICARE
Eligibility for TRICARE is based on your status in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). You must be registered in DEERS to use any TRICARE plan.
Active-duty and family
All active-duty service members are automatically enrolled in TRICARE Prime. Their family members must enroll in either TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select.
National Guard and Reserve
Guard and Reserve members get different coverage based on duty status. When activated for more than 30 days, they receive Prime or Select. When not activated, they may buy TRICARE Reserve Select.
Retirees
Retired service members under 65 can choose Prime or Select. At age 65, most retirees move to TRICARE For Life with Medicare.
Family members and dependents
Spouses, children under 21 (or 23 if a full-time student), and qualifying parents may be eligible. Young adult children up to age 26 can buy TRICARE Young Adult coverage.
The major TRICARE plans
TRICARE offers several plans. The right one depends on your status, location, and how you want to manage care.
TRICARE Prime
TRICARE Prime is a managed-care option similar to an HMO. You get a primary care manager (PCM) who coordinates your care. Referrals are required for most specialty care.
Prime has the lowest out-of-pocket costs. Active-duty service members must use Prime. Active-duty family members pay no enrollment fee. Retirees pay an annual enrollment fee.
TRICARE Select
TRICARE Select is a self-managed, preferred-provider organization (PPO) plan. You can see any TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral.
Select gives you more flexibility than Prime. In exchange, you pay deductibles and cost-shares for most services.
TRICARE For Life (TFL)
TRICARE For Life is Medicare-wraparound coverage for retirees and family members entitled to Medicare Part A. You must also enroll in Medicare Part B to keep TFL.
TFL pays after Medicare for services covered by both programs. For most services, you pay nothing out of pocket. There is no enrollment fee.
TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)
TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan for qualified Selected Reserve members. It works like Select but you pay a monthly premium.
TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)
This plan covers Retired Reserve members under age 60 who are not yet eligible for retired pay. Premiums are higher than TRS.
TRICARE Young Adult (TYA)
TRICARE Young Adult is a premium-based plan for unmarried adult children who age out of regular TRICARE at 21 (or 23). Coverage runs through age 26.
You can choose TYA-Prime or TYA-Select. Premiums are paid monthly.
US Family Health Plan (USFHP)
USFHP is a TRICARE Prime option offered in six US areas through designated providers. You get all your care from a USFHP network.
TRICARE plan comparison table
| Plan | Who it covers | Referrals required | Premium or enrollment fee? |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRICARE Prime | Active duty, families, retirees under 65 | Yes (most specialty care) | Free for active duty; enrollment fee for retirees |
| TRICARE Select | Family members, retirees under 65 | No | Free for active-duty families; enrollment fee for retirees |
| TRICARE For Life | Medicare-eligible retirees and family | No | None (but you must pay Medicare Part B premium) |
| TRICARE Reserve Select | Selected Reserve members not on active duty | No | Monthly premium |
| TRICARE Young Adult | Adult children ages 21-26 | Depends (Prime vs Select) | Monthly premium |
TRICARE costs in 2026
TRICARE costs rose for 2026. Your costs depend on your sponsor's status (active duty vs. retired), your beneficiary group, and the plan you pick.
Group A vs Group B
If your sponsor's initial enlistment or appointment was before January 1, 2018, you are in Group A. If it was on or after that date, you are in Group B. Group B pays slightly higher fees.
2026 enrollment fees for retirees
| Plan | Group A individual | Group A family | Group B individual | Group B family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRICARE Prime | $381.96 | $765 | $462.96 | $927 |
| TRICARE Select | $186.96 | $375 | $594.96 | $1,191 |
2026 catastrophic caps
The catastrophic cap is the most you and your family pay out of pocket for covered services each calendar year. Enrollment fees count toward the cap; monthly premiums do not.
| Beneficiary group | Prime cap | Select cap |
|---|---|---|
| Active duty family | $1,000 | $1,000 to $1,324 |
| Retiree Group A | $3,000 | $4,381 |
| Retiree Group B | $3,500 | $4,635 |
2026 premium-based plan rates
TRICARE Reserve Select (2026 monthly):
- Member only: $57.88
- Member and family: $286.66
TRICARE Young Adult (2026 monthly):
- TYA-Prime: $794
- TYA-Select: $363
These premiums rose roughly 8 to 9 percent from 2025. Always confirm rates on the official TRICARE costs page before you enroll.
Deductibles and copays
TRICARE Select has annual deductibles before cost-shares begin. Active-duty families on Select pay $61 individual / $122 family (Group A) or $76 / $152 (Group B) for in-network care.
Prime has no annual deductible. Copays apply for some services such as urgent care and emergency visits.
TRICARE open season and how to enroll
TRICARE open season is the annual window to enroll in or switch between Prime, Select, or the US Family Health Plan. Open season for 2026 coverage ran from November 10, 2025 to December 9, 2025. Open season for 2027 coverage will run in late 2026.
What open season does not cover
Open season does not apply to:
- Active-duty service members (auto-enrolled in Prime)
- TRICARE For Life (automatic with Medicare A and B)
- TRICARE Reserve Select, Retired Reserve, and Young Adult (premium plans, enroll any time)
Qualifying Life Events (QLEs)
Outside open season, you can only change plans after a Qualifying Life Event. Common QLEs include marriage, divorce, birth or adoption, retirement, deployment, and moving.
You have 90 days from the QLE to make changes. Update DEERS first.
How to enroll
- Verify your DEERS information at a RAPIDS site or online.
- Pick your plan and region.
- Enroll online through milConnect, by phone with your regional contractor, or by mail.
- Pay any enrollment fee or first premium to activate coverage.
TRICARE dental and vision
Dental and vision are separate from medical coverage. The Defense Health Agency moved retiree dental and vision into the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
Active-duty dental
Active-duty service members get dental care at military treatment facilities. Family members can enroll in the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) administered by United Concordia.
Retiree dental and vision
Retirees enroll in FEDVIP at BENEFEDS. FEDVIP open season runs alongside TRICARE open season each November.
Vision exams
Routine eye exams are covered for active-duty service members, active-duty family members on Prime, and children. Other beneficiaries need FEDVIP vision for routine exams and eyewear.
Tips for choosing the right TRICARE plan
The "best" TRICARE plan depends on your family's needs. Here are a few practical pointers.
Consider where you live
Prime requires you live within roughly 30 minutes of a primary care manager. If you live in a rural area, Select may be your only practical option.
Think about how often you see doctors
If you have chronic conditions or visit specialists often, Prime's predictable copays may save money. If you rarely use care, Select's lower enrollment fee may win out.
Compare total annual cost
Add enrollment fees, expected copays, and your catastrophic cap. Then compare across plans. The lowest enrollment fee is not always the cheapest plan.
Coordinate with other insurance
If you have employer coverage, TRICARE typically pays second. This can make Select more cost-effective. Check the Other Health Insurance rules at tricare.mil.
Plan ahead for retirement
If you are nearing 20 years, plan your TRICARE transition. Your military retirement calculator can help you budget for retirement health costs alongside pension and Social Security.
How TRICARE works with VA care
You can use both TRICARE and VA health care if you qualify. Generally, you must pick which one to use for a given episode of care. VA care is usually a better choice for service-connected conditions.
Learn more in our guides to VA claims and VA benefits. Survivors of deceased service members should also review DIC benefits and VA survivor benefits.
TRICARE and life insurance
TRICARE covers health care, not life insurance. Active-duty members get coverage through SGLI. Veterans can convert to VGLI after separation.
For details, see our explainers on SGLI and VGLI. Survivors should also explore VA life insurance options.
Conclusion: Next steps
TRICARE is one of the best health benefits in America, but only if you pick the right plan. Review your family's needs, check 2026 costs, and confirm your DEERS information is current.
If you have changes coming this year (a baby, a PCS, retirement, or a new job), watch your QLE window. If not, mark your calendar for the November open season.
Ready to plan the rest of your military finances? Use the military pay calculator and the BAH calculator to build your 2026 budget. For retirement planning, run the numbers in the military retirement calculator and review the Blended Retirement System explainer.
Browse all our free military finance tools and explainers in our explainer library to make smarter decisions for you and your family.
Sources: TRICARE.mil, TRICARE Health Plan Costs, TRICARE Open Season, TRICARE Newsroom: 2026 Costs.
See also: VA Health Care vs TRICARE: Differences and How to Use Both