Tricare

TRICARE

TRICARE logo

TRICARE is a health care program of the United States Department of Defense Military Health System. It provides civilian health benefits for U.S. Armed Forces military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents, including some members of the Reserve Component.

History

TRICARE was originally known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) and was established in 1966. The program was rebranded as TRICARE in the 1990s to better reflect its mission of providing comprehensive health care services to military families.

Structure

TRICARE is managed by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and is divided into several regions, each managed by a regional contractor. The program offers several different plans, including TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, and TRICARE for Life, among others.

File:TRICARE Stateside Regions Map - 1 Jan 2025.png

TRICARE Stateside Regions Map as of January 2025

TRICARE Prime

TRICARE Prime is a managed care option similar to a health maintenance organization (HMO). It requires enrollment and offers the lowest out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries.

TRICARE Select

TRICARE Select is a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan that allows beneficiaries to see any TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral, although seeing network providers results in lower costs.

TRICARE for Life

TRICARE for Life is a Medicare-wraparound coverage available to TRICARE beneficiaries who are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B.

Eligibility

Eligibility for TRICARE is determined by the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Active duty service members, retirees, and their families are eligible for TRICARE benefits. Certain members of the National Guard and Reserve components are also eligible under specific conditions.

Related pages

• Military Health System
• United States Department of Defense
• Veterans Health Administration

References

• "TRICARE." Defense Health Agency. Accessed October 2023. [1]
• "TRICARE Plans." Military Health System. Accessed October 2023. [2]