While on active duty status, if a family member becomes entitled to premium-free Medicare Part A—at age 65 or due to a disability or end-stage renal disease—TRICARE becomes the second payer after Medicare. ADFMs are not required to have Medicare Part B coverage to remain TRICARE-eligible, but are encouraged to enroll in Medicare Part B as soon as they become eligible to ensure continuous TRICARE coverage and avoid late enrollment surcharges when their sponsor’s active duty status ends. Medicare-eligible beneficiaries under age 65 have the option to enroll in TRICARE Prime and only pay TRICARE Prime cost-shares for outpatient services. Inpatient services would be covered first by Medicare Part A, then by TRICARE as secondary payer.
    

Once no longer on active duty status, if you or a family member is entitled to premium-free Medicare Part A, enrollment in Medicare Part B is required to remain TRICARE-eligible. TRICARE benefits will be terminated for any period of time during which you have only Medicare Part A.

TRICARE beneficiaries under age 65 with Medicare Part A and Part B have the option to enroll in TRICARE Prime if it is available. Note: Retirees and their family members are not eligible for TPR or TRICARE Prime Remote for Active Duty Family Members.