TRICARE and Medicare: Why Part B Is Required for TRICARE for Life
TRICARE beneficiaries who become Medicare-eligible must enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B to maintain TRICARE coverage. If you fail to enroll in Part B when you become eligible, your TRICARE benefits may be discontinued — and you may face permanent Part B late-enrollment penalties.
Key Rules
- TRICARE beneficiaries must enroll in Medicare Part B to maintain TRICARE at age 65 — this is not optional
- Failure to enroll in Part B results in loss of TRICARE benefits, not just Medicare penalties
- Once enrolled in Medicare, TRICARE transitions to TRICARE for Life for retired beneficiaries
- Active-duty service members and their dependents may have different enrollment rules and timelines