TRICARE For Life & Medicare: What Veterans Need to Know
You Can Have Both—And You Should Know Why That Matters
What Is TRICARE For Life (TFL)?
TRICARE For Life is available to:
Military retirees (and eligible spouses/survivors)
Who are eligible for Medicare Part A
And are enrolled in Medicare Part B
TFL acts as a secondary payer to Medicare. That means when you get care, Medicare pays first, and TRICARE For Life pays second—covering most of the costs Medicare doesn’t.
What TRICARE For Life Covers
Together with Medicare, TFL provides one of the most comprehensive health benefit packages available:
Doctor visits, hospital stays, and outpatient services
Mental health services
Durable medical equipment
Prescription drugs (through TRICARE Pharmacy Program)
Skilled nursing facility care
Emergency and urgent care
Overseas coverage
Maximizing Your Military & Medicare Benefits—Together
If you’re a military retiree who qualifies for both TRICARE and Medicare, you may be eligible for TRICARE For Life (TFL)—a unique program that offers robust healthcare coverage as a Medicare wraparound plan.
At Military Medicare, we help Veterans and military retirees understand how TRICARE For Life works—and how to use it in harmony with Medicare to protect your health and your wallet.
And the best part?
Most Veterans are eligible for both VA healthcare and Medicare.
How TRICARE For Life & Medicare Work Together
Here’s how it works when you get care:
01
You receive treatment from a Medicare-authorized provider.
02
Medicare pays its share (usually 80%).
03
TRICARE For Life covers the rest (usually 20%, depending on the service).
04
You owe little to nothing out-of-pocket in most cases.
Using Medicare Advantage with TRICARE For Life
TRICARE For Life doesn’t pair directly with Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans the way it does with Original Medicare (Parts A & B). That’s why most military retirees stick with Original Medicare to maintain full access to TFL.
However, there are exceptions—depending on where you receive care and your specific needs. We’re here to help you explore all your options with clarity.
Let’s Simplify Your Military Retirement Healthcare
Our advisors are trained to work with Veterans, military retirees, and their families.
To empower Veterans and their families with the knowledge, tools, and support to make informed Medicare decisions—while protecting their earned VA and military healthcare benefits.