Medicare-Eligible Beneficiaries
If you are eligible for Medicare, you must have Medicare Part B if you reached age 65 on or after April 1, 2001. If you choose not to enroll, your pharmacy benefit is limited to the medications available at military pharmacies.
Medicare Part D
Medicare's prescription drug coverage, Medicare Part D, is available to anyone who's eligible for Medicare (Part A and/or Part B).
TRICARE is Creditable Coverage
When you become eligible for Medicare Part D, you'll receive a notice in the mail explaining your TRICARE prescription drug coverage and how it relates to Medicare Part D. Because TRICARE is creditable coverage, you will not be required to pay extra if you decide to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan after your Initial Enrollment Period. Please keep this notice for your records. If you decide to enroll in Medicare Part D, you may need it to show that you do not have to pay higher premiums.
Medicare Part D Not Required
You don't need to enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to keep your TRICARE benefits and there is almost NO advantage to enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug plan for most TRICARE beneficiaries. Before deciding whether or not to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan, you should compare monthly premiums, deductibles, co-pays and drug coverage of various Medicare prescription drug plans in your area with your TRICARE prescription drug benefits.
If you do decide to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan, TRICARE will pay secondary to Medicare. You can enroll in the Medicare Prescription Drug Program during your Initial Enrollment Period or during the Open Enrollment Period (November 15th - December 31st) each year, with prescription drug coverage beginning January 1st of the following year.
For More Information
Note: Beneficiaries who live in overseas areas (non-U.S. territories) or who are in prison are not eligible for Medicare Part D.
You may want to consider Medicare Part D ...
If you have a limited income and assets and you qualify for Medicare's extra help with prescription drug plan costs, you may benefit by enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug plan. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-888-633-4227) for more information.