TRICARE For Life Cost Calculator: What You Pay With Medicare in 2026
Quick Answer
TRICARE For Life has no premium, but you must keep Medicare Parts A and B, so your main cost is the Part B premium ($202.90 a month for most people in 2026). Medicare pays first and TFL pays the rest, so for services both cover you pay $0. Prescriptions cost $14 to $85 a fill, and $0 for formulary drugs at a military pharmacy.
The calculator covers your premium, pharmacy copays and the Medicare cost-sharing TFL pays. It does not model services only TRICARE covers, since the cost-share depends on the service.
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How TRICARE For Life Works With Medicare
TRICARE For Life is a second payer. Medicare processes the bill first, then TFL picks up what Medicare leaves behind. Who pays what depends on which program covers the service.
| Covered by | Medicare pays | TRICARE pays | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare and TRICARE | Its approved amount | The remaining amount | $0 |
| Medicare only | Its approved amount | Nothing | Medicare deductible and cost-share |
| TRICARE only | Nothing | Its allowable amount | TRICARE deductible and cost-share |
| Neither | Nothing | Nothing | Billed charges |
Hypothetical.
With Medicare alone, a hospital stay costs the $1,736 Part A deductible. Then $3,000 of Part B care costs the $283 deductible plus 20% of the rest, which is $826.40. That is $2,562.40 in total. TRICARE For Life pays all of it for services both cover, so your cost is $0 for that care.
What TRICARE For Life Costs in 2026
| Item | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| TRICARE For Life enrollment fee | $0 |
| Medicare Part B premium (standard) | $202.90 a month |
| Medicare Part A premium | $0 for most people |
| Medicare Part A deductible (each benefit period) | $1,736, paid by TFL for covered services |
| Medicare Part B deductible | $283, paid by TFL for covered services |
| TRICARE deductible | $150 individual, $300 family, for TRICARE-only services |
| Catastrophic cap | $3,000 per family |
Part B premium by income
The standard premium applies to most people. Higher incomes pay an income-related amount based on the tax return from two years earlier.
| Single income | Joint income | Monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 |
| $109,001 to $137,000 | $218,001 to $274,000 | $284.10 |
| $137,001 to $171,000 | $274,001 to $342,000 | $405.80 |
| $171,001 to $205,000 | $342,001 to $410,000 | $527.50 |
| $205,001 to $499,999 | $410,001 to $749,999 | $649.20 |
| $500,000 or more | $750,000 or more | $689.90 |
To find your own tier, use the IRMAA bracket finder. If you think the income used is out of date, see how to estimate your IRMAA surcharge.
TRICARE For Life Pharmacy Copays: Where You Fill Matters
Prescriptions are where most of your TFL spending can change. The same medicine costs less at a military pharmacy, and a 90-day supply by home delivery usually costs far less than 30-day fills at a retail pharmacy.
| Where you fill | Supply | Generic | Brand (formulary) | Non-formulary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military pharmacy | Up to 90 days | $0 | $0 | Usually not available |
| Home delivery | Up to 90 days | $14 | $44 | $85 |
| Retail network | Up to 30 days | $16 | $48 | $85 |
Hypothetical. All taken every day.
At a retail network pharmacy, filling each one every 30 days costs $1,152.00 a year. By home delivery, filling each one every 90 days costs $344.00. The difference is $808.00. The same medicines at a military pharmacy cost $0 for formulary drugs.
Do you need Medicare Part D?
No. TRICARE says you do not need Part D with TFL, and your TRICARE pharmacy coverage counts as creditable drug coverage. If you do enroll in Part D, Medicare pays first for your prescriptions and TRICARE pays last. Since TFL copays are low, most people with TFL skip the Part D premium. To see what Part D would cost if you did join, try the prescription drug cost estimator.
Why You Must Keep Medicare Part B
TRICARE For Life requires both Part A and Part B. If you are eligible for Part A and do not have Part B, you lose TFL coverage. The requirement does not apply to active duty family members.
- Late enrollment: if you sign up for Part B after your initial enrollment period, you may pay a penalty for as long as you have Part B, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Check your window with the Medicare enrollment deadline calculator and the amount with the late enrollment penalty calculator.
- Paying the premium: premiums are deducted from your Social Security payment. If you do not receive Social Security yet, you are billed every three months.
- Overseas: Medicare does not pay for care outside the U.S., but you still pay the Part B premium to keep TFL.
Common TRICARE For Life Surprises
Providers who opted out of Medicare
If a provider has opted out of Medicare, Medicare pays nothing and TRICARE pays the amount Medicare would have paid if it had processed the claim. You may owe the rest of the bill, so ask whether the provider accepts Medicare before you book.
Services only Medicare covers
Chiropractic care is an example. Medicare pays 80%, TRICARE pays nothing, and you pay the 20%.
Care outside the U.S.
Medicare pays $0 overseas. TRICARE becomes the primary payer after you meet the annual TRICARE deductible, and you pay 25% with network providers. With non-network providers, you pay any amount above the TRICARE-allowable charge as well.
Counting on the $3,000 cap to cover your premium
The cap limits your costs for TRICARE-covered services and supplies. It does not reduce your Part B premium.
A year of costs for the example person above: $2,778.80, which is $2,434.80 in Part B premiums plus $344.00 in home-delivery copays.
TRICARE For Life FAQs
How much does TRICARE For Life cost?
TRICARE For Life has no enrollment fee or premium. You must pay the Medicare Part B premium, which is $202.90 a month for most people in 2026 and more at higher incomes. For services both programs cover, you pay $0 after Medicare and TFL pay. You pay copays for prescriptions and the TRICARE deductible and cost-share for services only TRICARE covers.
Do I need Medicare Part B for TRICARE For Life?
Yes. Medicare Part A and Part B are required for TRICARE For Life if you are eligible for Part A. The requirement does not apply to active duty family members. If you enroll in Part B after your initial enrollment period, you may pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have it, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Do I need Medicare Part D with TRICARE For Life?
No. TRICARE pharmacy coverage is creditable drug coverage, and TRICARE says you do not need Part D. If you do have Part D as well, Medicare pays first for your prescriptions and TRICARE pays last.
Who pays first, Medicare or TRICARE For Life?
Medicare pays first for services Medicare covers. TRICARE For Life pays second and covers the remaining amount, including the Medicare deductibles and coinsurance, so for services both cover you pay $0.
What are the TRICARE For Life pharmacy copays in 2026?
Home delivery (up to 90 days) is $14 for generics, $44 for formulary brand-name drugs and $85 for non-formulary drugs. Retail network pharmacies (up to 30 days) are $16, $48 and $85. Military pharmacies charge $0 for formulary drugs.
What is the TRICARE For Life catastrophic cap?
The TFL catastrophic cap is $3,000 per family per calendar year. It is the most you pay for TRICARE-covered services and supplies in the year. It does not cover your Medicare Part B premium.
What does TRICARE For Life not pay?
If neither Medicare nor TRICARE covers a service, you pay the full billed charge. For services only Medicare covers, such as chiropractic care, you pay the Medicare deductible and 20% cost-share. TRICARE pays nothing for those.
Does TRICARE For Life work overseas?
Yes, but Medicare does not pay for care outside the U.S. and its territories. You still must pay Part B premiums to keep TFL. TRICARE is the primary payer overseas after you meet the annual TRICARE deductible, and you pay a 25% cost-share with network providers. You may have to pay up front and file a claim.
Can I use a Medicare Advantage plan with TRICARE For Life?
Yes, it is optional. You would pay the plan premium on top of your Part B premium, have to use the plan's network except in emergencies, and claim your copayments from TFL. Parts A and B are still required for TFL.
What if my doctor does not accept Medicare?
If a provider has opted out of Medicare, Medicare pays nothing and TRICARE pays the amount Medicare would have paid if it had processed the claim. You may owe the rest of the bill, so ask before you book.
Official Sources and How We Calculate
Pharmacy copays, deductibles, the catastrophic cap and the who-pays rules come from the 2026 TRICARE For Life cost matrix. The Part B premium tiers come from Medicare's 2026 figures. The calculator adds your yearly Part B premium and pharmacy copays, then shows the Medicare deductibles and 20% coinsurance TFL pays for you.
| Source | What we used it for |
|---|---|
| TRICARE For Life Cost Matrix, calendar year 2026 | Deductibles, cap, who pays, pharmacy copays, overseas rules |
| TRICARE Newsroom: Do you need all 4 parts of Medicare for TRICARE For Life? | Parts A and B required, Part D not needed, late enrollment, exemptions |
| TRICARE Newsroom: Understanding Medicare Part D and TRICARE pharmacy coverage | Creditable drug coverage, Part D pays first if you have both |
| TRICARE Newsroom: What are my 2026 TRICARE For Life costs? | $3,000 catastrophic cap, providers who opt out of Medicare |
Results are estimates. TRICARE and Medicare decide the final amounts on each claim.
Educational Disclosure: This guide is for educational purposes only. Government rules, benefit levels, and tax limits change frequently. While we strive to present accurate information, it should not be taken as legal, tax, or financial advice. We encourage you to review official guidance on government portals (like IRS.gov or SSA.gov) and consult with a qualified professional before making final retirement or benefit elections.