What if my client has TRICARE and becomes eligible for Medicare?

TRICARE is the uniformed services health care program for active-duty service members, active-duty family members, National Guard and Reserve members and their family members, retirees and retiree family members, survivors, and certain former spouses.

Individuals who are enrolled in TRICARE do not have to enroll in Medicare, and will not be charged a penalty for not doing so.

If a client is eligible for both Medicare and TRICARE, they may enroll in Medicare and will continue to automatically receive TRICARE coverage. Medicare will be the client’s primary payer and TRICARE can cover cost sharing (e.g., coinsurance and deductibles) and services not covered by Medicare.