Becoming Medicare-Eligible

Medicare is a health insurance program for people:

• age 65 or older
• under age 65 with certain disabilities
• with end stage renal disease
• with Lou Gehrig's disease

Medicare Part A is premium-free hospital insurance.  Medicare Part B is medical insurance, and you must pay Medicare Part B premiums to keep Medicare Part B coverage.  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services manages Medicare.

TRICARE beneficiaries who have Medicare Part A, must have Medicare Part B to remain TRICARE-eligible. The only exceptions are if: 

• Your sponsor is on active duty
• You're enrolled in the US Family Health Plan
• You're enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select

If you fall into one of these categories, you are not required to have Medicare Part B to remain eligible for TRICARE. However, we strongly encourage you to get Medicare Part B as soon as you become eligible for Medicare Part A to avoid any future loss of TRICARE coverage. >>Learn More

TRICARE For Life

When you have Medicare Parts A and B, you will be covered by TRICARE For Life, TRICARE's Medicare-wraparound coverage available to all Medicare-eligible TRICARE beneficiaries, regardless of age or place of residence.

While Medicare is your primary insurance, TRICARE acts as your secondary payer minimizing your out-of-pocket expenses. TRICARE benefits include covering Medicare's coinsurance and deductible. >>Learn More

US Family Health Plan

If you are already enrolled in the US Family Health Plan when you become eligible for Medicare at age 65 (US Family Health Plan coverage beginning before September 2012), you can stay enrolled as long as there is no break in coverage. Beginning October 1, 2012, Medicare-eligible beneficiaries age 65 and older can no longer enroll in the US Family Health Plan. >>Learn More