Q. Why is the Tricare Reserve Select monthly premium for my spouse so much higher compared to if only I was enrolled?
A. To be precise, the TRS monthly premium is $50.75 for sponsor only, $205.62 for sponsor and family. And the gap will widen further as of Jan. 1, when sponsor-only coverage drops to $47.90 while family coverage creeps up to $210.83.
It's simply the model for most employer-provided health care, including Tricare: Costs for the employee himself/herself — the primary beneficiary — are relatively modest compared to when family members enter the picture.
Q. I'm a 31-year-old disabled retiree who has been using Tricare Prime. I recently received information about enrolling in Medicare. I opted for Part A inpatient coverage but passed up Part B outpatient coverage since I wanted to keep Prime, which is simple and affordable. Now I'm told I'm no longer eligible for Prime, but must use Tricare for Life.
A. That's right, precisely because you're now eligible for Medicare. For most, this transition comes at age 65, but it arrives sooner for those who become Medicare-eligible earlier than 65 due to disability.
Under Tricare for Life, Medicare is first payer and Tricare Standard is second payer. Enrollment in Part B and payment of its monthly premium (now $104.90 for most people) is a requirement for you to use the Tricare portion of your TFL benefit. That premium should be your only recurring cost. The combination of Medicare and Tricare Standard will cover 100 percent of your costs on the vast majority of your health care claims.
Contact your local Social Security office about enrolling in Part B. Then contact the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System to ensure your current status as a TFL beneficiary is reflected in the DEERS database. Visit the ID Card/DEERS office on any installation or call the main DEERS support office at 800-538-9552.
