TRICARE is available to active duty service members and retirees
of the seven uniformed services, their family members, survivors
and others who are registered in the Defense Enrollment
Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). The uniformed services
include the:
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Navy
- U.S. Marine Corps
- U.S. Coast Guard
- Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service
- Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Association
TRICARE is also available to members of the National Guard
and Reserves and their families. Benefits will vary depending on
the sponsor's military status.
Learn more about eligibility for members of the National
Guard and Reserve.
TRICARE beneficiaries can be divided into two main
categories: sponsors and family members. Sponsors include
active duty service members, retired service members and
National Guard/Reserve members. Family members are spouses and
children who are registered in DEERS. Other eligible beneficiary
categories include:
- Medal of Honor recipients and their family members
- Surviving family members whose sponsors have passed away
on active duty
- Widows/widowers and children whose sponsors have passed
away after retiring
- Un-remarried former spouses
Learn more about eligible beneficiary categories.
DEERS Registration is the Key
You must be registered in DEERS and have a valid uniformed
services ID card. Sponsors are automatically registered in
DEERS.
Learn more about DEERS.
Medicare Eligibility and TRICARE
Under Federal law, if you're a eligible for premium-free
Medicare Part A for any reason, you must have Medicare Part B
coverage to remain eligible for TRICARE, unless your sponsor is
on active duty, you're enrolled in the US Family Health Plan or
if you're enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select.
Learn more about Medicare eligibility and TRICARE.
Deciding to Enroll
Deciding to enroll in any of the TRICARE health plans is an
important one, but it is a personal decision. Only the following
plans require you to enroll, and enrollment is not available to
all beneficiaries in every plan. Click on any of the plans below
to learn more.
Note: Active duty service members must
enroll in TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Prime Remote, TRICARE Prime
Overseas or TRICARE Global Remote Overseas depending on where
they live and work.
