What Healthcare Coverage Do Military Retirees Get?
Military retirees and their eligible dependents keep access to TRICARE — the Defense Department's healthcare program — for life as a retirement benefit. At retirement you choose a TRICARE plan based on your location and needs. At age 65, you transition to TRICARE for Life (TFL), which wraps around Medicare. Veterans with a VA disability rating may also access VA healthcare on a parallel track.
TRICARE Plans Available at Retirement
Three main TRICARE plans are available to retirees under age 65, each with different cost-sharing structures.
TRICARE Prime
TRICARE Prime is a network-based HMO. You select a primary care manager (PCM) and get referrals for specialist care. It offers the lowest out-of-pocket costs of any TRICARE plan for retirees.
- 2026 Annual Premium: $318.12/year (individual) or $636.24/year (family) for retirees
- Copays: $0 at Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs); $12–$30 at civilian network providers
- Best for: Retirees who live near an MTF and want lowest costs
TRICARE Select
TRICARE Select is a PPO-style plan with more flexibility — no referrals needed for most specialist visits, and you can see any TRICARE-authorized provider.
- 2026 Annual Premium: E-7 and below: $0. Officers and senior enlisted: approximately $60.18/month ($722.16/year) for individual coverage
- Copays: $0 at MTFs; 20–25% cost-share at civilian TRICARE-authorized providers
- Best for: Retirees who live far from an MTF or want provider flexibility
TRICARE Plus
TRICARE Plus is a limited enrollment option at specific MTFs that provides primary care access at that facility. It does not cover specialty or civilian care beyond standard TRICARE coverage. Not available at all locations.
Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)
If you separate from service but do not yet have TRICARE retirement eligibility — for example, if you served fewer than 20 years — you can enroll in the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) for up to 18 months. It functions like COBRA but for the military. The 2026 premium is approximately $573/month (individual) or $1,289/month (family). CHCBP gives you an 18-month bridge while you secure civilian employer coverage.
TRICARE for Life: Healthcare After Age 65
TRICARE for Life (TFL) is the automatic Medicare wraparound benefit for military retirees who enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. It has no separate premium — you pay only Medicare Part B.
How TFL Works
- Medicare pays first for covered services.
- TRICARE for Life pays the Medicare cost-share (the 20% you would normally owe) — bringing most bills to $0 out-of-pocket.
- For services not covered by Medicare but covered by TRICARE, TFL pays directly.
2026 Medicare Part B Premium
The standard Medicare Part B premium in 2026 is $185.00/month. If your MAGI two years prior was above $106,000 (individual) or $212,000 (joint), you pay an IRMAA surcharge on top of that. Part A has no premium if you have 40+ quarters of Social Security credits — which almost every military retiree does.
Enrolling in Medicare Part B
You must actively enroll in Medicare Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period (the 3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after your 65th birthday). If you miss this window, you face a 10% late enrollment penalty for each 12-month period you were eligible but not enrolled. Do not skip Part B enrollment just because you have TRICARE — TFL requires Part B.
FEDVIP: Dental and Vision Coverage
TRICARE does not cover routine dental or vision for most retirees. The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) is available to military retirees and dependents through the BENEFEDS portal.
- Dental: Multiple carriers; premiums vary by plan and region. Retirees rated 100% P&T by the VA may qualify for free VA dental care instead.
- Vision: Annual eye exams and eyewear allowances through FEDVIP carriers.
VA Healthcare for Military Retirees
Military retirees who have a VA disability rating can access VA healthcare as a parallel system — completely separate from TRICARE. The VA assigns you to a Priority Group based on your rating and service.
Priority Group 1
Veterans rated 50% or higher by the VA, or who have a service-connected condition that is severely disabling, are placed in Priority Group 1. This group has no copays for VA healthcare services, including outpatient visits, medications, and most inpatient care.
Priority Groups 2–4
Veterans with ratings from 10%–40% fall in Priority Groups 2 through 4, depending on the rating and financial need. Copays are minimal — typically $15–$50 for primary care visits and lower for medications.
Using Both TRICARE and VA Healthcare
You can use both systems simultaneously. Many veterans use VA healthcare for service-connected condition treatment (maximizing VA specialty expertise) and TRICARE for non-service-connected issues or dependents' care. There is no prohibition on dual use, but you generally cannot bill both systems for the same encounter.
CHAMPVA: Healthcare for Dependents of Disabled Veterans
The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) provides healthcare coverage for dependents of veterans who are rated 100% permanently and totally (P&T) disabled or who died from a service-connected condition.
- CHAMPVA covers spouses and dependent children of qualifying veterans.
- Coverage includes inpatient, outpatient, mental health, pharmacy, and preventive care.
- Cost-share: CHAMPVA pays 75% of allowable amounts; the beneficiary pays 25% after the $50/year deductible ($100 for family).
- CHAMPVA is not available if the dependent is eligible for TRICARE — you must choose one or the other.
Mental Health Resources for Retirees
Both TRICARE and VA healthcare cover mental health services. TRICARE covers outpatient mental health visits with copays under the standard Select cost-share. The VA's mental health services — including PTSD treatment, MST counseling, and substance use programs — are available to all enrolled veterans at no cost for service-connected conditions. The Veterans Crisis Line (988, press 1) operates 24/7.
For a full overview of military retirement benefits, visit our Military Retirement hub. To estimate your retirement income, use the Military Retirement Calculator. For comprehensive information on VA healthcare eligibility and enrollment, see our VA Healthcare guide.
Key Takeaways
- Military retirees access TRICARE Prime or Select at retirement; TRICARE for Life takes over at 65 after enrolling in Medicare Part B ($185.00/month in 2026).
- Veterans rated 50% or higher by the VA get Priority Group 1 status — zero copays for VA healthcare services.
- TRICARE and VA healthcare can be used simultaneously for different care needs.
- CHAMPVA covers dependents of veterans rated 100% P&T disabled, with a 75/25 cost-share after a $50 annual deductible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to enroll in Medicare Part B if I have TRICARE?
Yes, if you want to keep TRICARE for Life at age 65. TFL requires active enrollment in both Medicare Part A and Part B. Skipping Part B ends your TFL eligibility and results in a lifetime Part B late enrollment penalty of 10% per year missed.
What does TRICARE Select cost for an E-7 retiree in 2026?
Retired E-7s and below pay $0 in TRICARE Select annual premiums. You still pay cost-shares when seeing civilian TRICARE-authorized providers — typically 20–25% of the TRICARE-allowed amount.
Can my dependents use TRICARE after I retire?
Yes. Eligible dependents (spouse and dependent children) remain on your TRICARE coverage after retirement. If your spouse turns 65 before you retire, they enroll in Medicare and become eligible for TRICARE for Life independently.
What is the difference between CHAMPVA and TRICARE?
TRICARE covers retirees and their dependents. CHAMPVA covers dependents of veterans rated 100% P&T disabled or killed in service — even if the veteran never retired militarily. You cannot have both TRICARE and CHAMPVA simultaneously.
Does a 100% VA disability rating give me free dental care?
Yes. Veterans rated 100% service-connected (including 100% TDIU) are eligible for VA dental care at no cost. This is separate from FEDVIP and covers comprehensive dental services at VA dental clinics.
Can I use VA healthcare even if I have TRICARE?
Yes. Military retirees with a VA disability rating can use both TRICARE and VA healthcare. Many use the VA for service-connected care and TRICARE for other medical needs. You cannot bill both systems for the same visit.
Find the Right Healthcare Plan for Your Retirement
Healthcare is one of the most valuable military retirement benefits. Use the Rank and Pay Military Retirement Calculator to factor healthcare costs into your full retirement income plan — and explore your VA healthcare eligibility alongside TRICARE options.