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TIPS & CLIPS

Retiring from the Service? Get to

Know Your TRICARE Options

By TRICARE Communication

Here’s a look at four steps to You can visit the TRICARE Plan Finder to learn more
help you retire smoothly with about which plans you’re eligible for and best fit your
TRICARE. needs. You can also call your TRICARE contractor with
any enrollment concerns.
Step 1: Review and update
Joanne Elliott, YNC
National President your information in the Step 4: If eligible, you may purchase dental and vision
Defense Enrollment Eligibility coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and
Reporting System (DEERS). (www.tricare.mil/deers) Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). You must be
enrolled in a TRICARE health plan to qualify to purchase
Step 2: Get a new Uniformed Services ID card for your- vision coverage through FEDVIP. (www.benefeds.com)
self and your family members.
What about your pharmacy benefit? Once you enroll in
Step 3: Reenroll yourself and eligible family members, or a TRICARE health plan, you’ll have pharmacy coverage.
choose different plans. Depending on your eligibility, age, This means you can still use the TRICARE Pharmacy
and location, your plan choices after retirement include: Program (www.tricare.mil/pharmacy). Your options for
filling your prescriptions is based on the type of drug your
n TRICARE Prime (if residing in a Prime Service Area) provider prescribes and where you live. Keep in mind,
www.tricare.mil/prime most retirees and their families are required to fill certain
n US Family Health Plan (in certain areas stateside) maintenance drugs through TRICARE Pharmacy Home
www.tricare.mil/usfhp Delivery (www.tricare.mil/homedelivery).

n TRICARE Select or TRICARE Overseas Program Select Costs and Fees After Retirement
www.tricare.mil/select or www.tricare.mil/Plans/ You’ll pay retiree costs for all health care. Once you’re retired,
HealthPlans/TSO you may have to pay enrollment fees or monthly premiums.
This depends on which TRICARE health plan you enroll
n TRICARE Plus (limited availability)
www.tricare.mil/plus in. You may also have deductibles, copayments, cost-shares,
and other fees for care. The effective date of coverage will
n TRICARE Retired Reserve (available up to age 60) be your retirement date. Remember, any TRICARE enroll-
www.tricare.mil/trr ment fees or monthly premiums must be paid retroactively
to your retirement date for continuous coverage. You can
n TRICARE For Life (available if you’re entitled to review costs using the TRICARE Compare Costs Tool or
Medicare Part A and have Medicare Part B) by downloading the TRICARE Costs and Fees Sheet.
www.tricare.mil/tfl

Are you entitled to Medicare Part A? If so, be sure to Understanding your TRICARE options when retiring
sign up for Medicare Part B before you retire to keep and taking action to enroll in a health plan are critical
TRICARE coverage. Once you have both Medicare Part steps. They’ll help you enjoy a seamless transition to civil-
A and Part B, you’re automatically eligible for TRICARE ian life. Check out the TRICARE Retiring from Active
For Life, which is Medicare-wraparound coverage. Duty Brochure or TRICARE Retiring from the National
(https://www.tricare.mil/medicare) Guard or Reserve Brochure to learn more.
www.tricare.mil

8 The Mariner • 2021 Winter Edition • Volume 64 • Issue 3