TRICARE Health Insurance Program

TRICARE Health Insurance Program

TRICARE is a health insurance program that provides civilian health benefits for military personnel, military retirees, and their families. It is administered by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). TRICARE offers several different health insurance plans, including TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, and TRICARE for Life. Each plan offers different levels of coverage and has different costs and benefits.

TRICARE Prime is a managed care option that provides comprehensive coverage through a network of civilian and military hospitals and clinics. Enrollees in TRICARE Prime are required to choose a primary care manager (PCM) and receive most of their care through the military health system.

TRICARE Select is a fee-for-service option that allows enrollees to receive care from any TRICARE-authorized provider. Enrollees are responsible for paying a portion of the cost of their care, called cost-shares, which vary depending on the type of service received and the enrollee’s status.

TRICARE for Life is a supplemental insurance plan that provides coverage for military retirees and their families who are also enrolled in Medicare. It helps cover costs not covered by Medicare, including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

To enroll in TRICARE or to learn more about the different plans, you can visit the TRICARE website or contact your local military hospital or clinic.