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Key points
- To have TRICARE For Life, you need Medicare Part A and Part B. You don’t need Part C or Part D.[1]
- With Original Medicare, Medicare pays first and TRICARE pays last. For services both cover, you generally pay nothing out of pocket.[2]
- If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, you must use its network for nonemergency care, may pay copays, and may need to file paper claims with TRICARE.[1]
- TRICARE says to be enrolled in Part A and Part B at least two months before you turn 65 to avoid a gap in coverage.[1]
Watch: Why you need Part B to keep TRICARE For Life
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is valuable coverage for military retirees and their eligible family members. But it only works if your Medicare is in place.
Most of the trouble I see comes from one of two misunderstandings: thinking TFL replaces Medicare, or thinking every Medicare choice works with TFL the same way. Neither is true. Here’s how it actually works, straight from TRICARE.
What TRICARE For Life is
TRICARE describes TFL as “Medicare-wraparound coverage” for people who are TRICARE-eligible and have Medicare Part A and Part B, regardless of age or where they live.[2] The basics, from TRICARE:
- You don’t enroll in TFL. Coverage is automatic and starts the first day you have both Part A and Part B.[2]
- There’s no TFL enrollment fee, but you must pay your Medicare Part B premiums.[2]
- There’s no TFL card. Your Medicare card and Uniformed Services ID card are your proof of coverage.[2]
- TFL is an individual benefit. Family members who aren’t eligible for Medicare stay eligible for TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select.[1]
- Coverage is available worldwide. Overseas, TRICARE pays first and you pay TRICARE’s deductible and cost-shares.[2]
Who pays first: Medicare, then TRICARE
With Original Medicare, here’s how a typical claim works in the U.S.:[2]
- Your provider files with MedicareIn most cases you don’t file anything yourself.
- Medicare pays firstThen Medicare sends the claim on to the TFL claims processor.
- TRICARE pays lastTRICARE pays the provider directly for TRICARE-covered services.
| Type of service | Medicare pays | TRICARE pays | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covered by Medicare and TRICARE | Medicare-authorized amount | Remaining amount | Nothing |
| Covered by Medicare only | Medicare-authorized amount | Nothing | Medicare deductible and cost-share |
| Covered by TRICARE only | Nothing | TRICARE-allowable amount | TRICARE deductible and cost-share |
| Not covered by either | Nothing | Nothing | Billed charges |
Medicare doesn’t cover every service TRICARE covers, so check whether a service is covered by Medicare, TRICARE or both before you get it. That’s how you avoid surprise costs.[1]
If you have other health insurance through your or your spouse’s current job, that plan pays first, Medicare pays second and TRICARE pays last.[2]
Why Part B is the one bill you can’t skip
You need Medicare Part A and Part B to have TFL.[1] If you drop Part B, or never sign up, you don’t have TFL. The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, and people with higher incomes pay more.[3]
Signing up late can cost you twice: a gap in TRICARE coverage, and a Part B late enrollment penalty of 10% for each full 12 months you could have had Part B. For most people that penalty lasts as long as they have Part B.[5]
This applies overseas too. Even if you live outside the U.S., where Medicare doesn’t provide coverage, you must have Part B to remain eligible for TRICARE.[2]
Do you need Part C or Part D with TFL?
No. You don’t need Medicare Part C or Part D to have TFL.[1] TFL beneficiaries remain eligible for the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, so you don’t need Part D to have drug coverage.[1] TRICARE drug coverage also counts as creditable coverage for Medicare Part D.[6]
Some retirees still choose a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. Here’s what TRICARE says changes, and what doesn’t, if you do:[1]
What may change with a Part C plan
- You may pay a monthly plan premium on top of your Part B premium.
- You must get all nonemergency care from the plan’s network.
- You may pay copays at the time of service.
- You may need to file paper claims for TRICARE to reimburse you for TRICARE-covered services.
What stays the same
- You still need Part A and Part B, and you still pay the Part B premium.
- If both Medicare and TRICARE cover a service, TRICARE pays last.
- You remain eligible for the TRICARE Pharmacy Program.
Why consider a plan at all? Some Medicare Advantage plans include vision and dental coverage.[1] And Medicare’s handbook says some plans may have a $0 premium and may help pay all or part of your Part B premium.[7] Those benefits vary by plan, county and year, and in 2026 more than two-thirds of individual Medicare Advantage plans didn’t lower the Part B premium at all.[8] Weigh any extra benefit against the network, copay and claims trade-offs above. Our guide to Part B premium reductions explains how that benefit works.
Should you add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy? TRICARE says you can use TFL with other insurance, such as a Medicare supplement, as long as you have Part A and Part B.[2] Because TFL generally leaves you with nothing to pay for services both Medicare and TRICARE cover, compare what a supplement would actually add before you pay its premium.
Dental, vision and hearing
If you need dental and vision coverage, TRICARE says you may qualify to buy it through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) at BENEFEDS.[1]
Original Medicare doesn’t cover most dental care, eye exams for prescription glasses, or hearing aids.[9] Some Medicare Advantage plans cover certain dental, vision and hearing services. Check what’s covered, the yearly limits and the network before you count on it.
Where to get official answers
TRICARE and Medicare both publish clear guidance, and it’s worth reading for yourself:
- TRICARE For Life on TRICARE.mil, and the TRICARE For Life Handbook.[2]
- TFL customer service in the U.S. and U.S. territories: WPS Government Services, 866-773-0404.[2]
- Medicare Part B premiums and enrollment: Social Security, 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778).[2]
Where a licensed agent helps is the part those resources don’t do for you: comparing the plans available in your county, including their networks, costs and benefits, against how you use TFL today.
Common questions
Do I need Medicare Part B to keep TRICARE For Life?
Yes. You need Medicare Part A and Part B to have TRICARE For Life. You must pay your Part B premiums to keep it.[1][2]
Do I need a Medicare Advantage plan to have TRICARE For Life?
No. You don’t need Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) or Part D to have TFL. Part C is optional.[1]
Do I need Medicare Part D if I have TRICARE For Life?
No. TFL beneficiaries remain eligible for the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, so you don’t need Part D to have drug coverage. TRICARE drug coverage counts as creditable coverage.[1][6]
Who pays first, Medicare or TRICARE For Life?
For services Medicare covers in the U.S., Medicare pays first. If both Medicare and TRICARE cover the service, TRICARE pays last, and you generally pay nothing.[2][1]
Can I have TRICARE For Life and a Medicare Advantage plan?
Yes, as long as you keep Part A and Part B. TRICARE says you must get nonemergency care from the plan’s network, may pay copays at the time of service, and may need to file paper claims for TRICARE to reimburse you.[1]
When should I sign up for Medicare if I have TRICARE?
TRICARE says to be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B at least two months before you turn 65 to avoid a gap in TRICARE coverage.[1]
Sources
- TRICARE (Defense Health Agency). “Q&A: How does TRICARE For Life work with Medicare?” TRICARE Newsroom, December 14, 2023. newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/3617884/qa-how-does-tricare-for-life-work-with-medicare
- TRICARE (Defense Health Agency). “TRICARE For Life.” TRICARE.mil, last updated September 25, 2026. tricare.mil/tfl
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles” (fact sheet), November 14, 2025. cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
- Medicare.gov. “How is Medicare funded?” medicare.gov/about-us/how-is-medicare-funded
- Medicare.gov. “Avoid late enrollment penalties.” medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/avoid-penalties
- Medicare.gov. “Creditable prescription drug coverage.” medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/part-d/basics/creditable-coverage
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare & You 2027 (official Medicare handbook), pages 11 and 69. medicare.gov/publications/10050-medicare-and-you.pdf
- KFF (independent health policy research). “Medicare Advantage 2026 Spotlight: A First Look at Plan Premiums and Benefits,” December 9, 2025. kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-2026-spotlight-a-first-look-at-plan-premiums-and-benefits
- Medicare.gov. “What’s not covered by Part A & Part B.” medicare.gov/providers-services/original-medicare/not-covered
Sources checked October 11, 2026. Dollar amounts are for 2026 unless noted.
I am not affiliated with or endorsed by Social Security, Medicare, VA, TRICARE or any government agency. Nor would I want to be. This is general education, not personal advice. I am not recommending any specific plan or telling you what to enroll in. Always review your own situation with Social Security, VA, Medicare or a professional you trust before making changes.
Christopher Duncan
Christopher founded Veterans Advantage Financial® and has helped people with Medicare since 2006. He is a licensed insurance agent in all 50 states and DC (NPN 8613503). His dad, Wallace, is a Vietnam-era veteran.