Tricare military insurance has several plans to choose from, each with its own advantages.
Tricare is the military’s health care insurance program for active, retired, Reserve and National Guard members and their families. The military health care resources and civilian health care networks are linked together by the Tricare health system. Tricare is broken down into several different plans, each with its own advantages.
Prime
Prime is Tricare’s most comprehensive and affordable plan. Prime advantages include enhanced vision and preventive services, travel reimbursement for covered specialty care and the convenience of receiving treatment at an on-base military treatment facility. Additionally, active-duty members and their families have no out-of-pocket costs or enrollment fees.
Standard
The Standard plan is chosen by military members for various reasons. One reason this health care plan is preferred is that beneficiaries satisfied with their current civilian providers, who are not members of other Tricare networks, may continue to use these providers under the Standard plan. Additionally, some Standard beneficiaries may not reside in an area where Tricare Prime is available, so Standard may be the only military health care option.
Advantages of the Standard plan include widely available coverage, no enrollment fees and an extensive provider list. Tricare Extra may also be used with this plan. When using Extra, the beneficiary will pay fewer out-of-pocket costs and the provider will file claims for you. There are more out-of-pocket costs associated with the Standard portion of the plan, in which the beneficiaries choose to visit non-network providers.
Reserve Select
Tricare Reserve Select is the health plan for selected Reserve members of the ready reserve and their families. Reserve Select members may visit any Tricare authorized provider in network or out of network. Receiving care at a military treatment facility, however, depends on space availability and is not guaranteed. Some out-of-pocket costs exist with this plan, but if a network provider is chosen, less will be paid out of pocket. A monthly enrollment fee is required.
Tricare for Life
Tricare for Life is the coverage available to all Tricare beneficiaries who are Medicare eligible. Medicare is the primary insurance and Tricare is the secondary payer, limiting out-of-pocket-costs for the covered member. A benefit of the plan is the coverage of Medicare’s deductible and co-insurance costs by Tricare.
US Family Health Plan
This Tricare Prime option plan is available through community not-for-profit health systems in six U.S. regions. Beneficiaries choose medical providers from a network of private physicians. Active-duty members pay no fees or out-of-pocket costs. All other beneficiaries pay annual enrollment fees; the cost of care is specific to the location in which care is received.
Tags: health care, out-of-pocket costs, enrollment fees, Reserve Select, Standard plan, their families
