KEY TAKEAWAYS
- These are calendar-year 2026 costs from TRICARE’s fact sheet. Open Season for 2027 coverage runs Nov. 9 to Dec. 8, 2026, and TRICARE had not posted 2027 costs when we checked.
- Group A vs. Group B drives retiree costs. Prime enrollment is $381.96 for Group A and $462.96 for Group B (individual). Select is $186.96 for Group A and $594.96 for Group B.
- Active duty service members pay nothing. Active duty family members pay $0 under Prime and copays and deductibles under Select.
- Premium plans: Reserve Select $57.88/month (member only), Retired Reserve $645.90/month and Young Adult $794 (Prime) or $363 (Select), rising to $893 and $394 a month in 2027.
- Pharmacy: $0 at military pharmacies, $14 / $44 / $85 for home delivery and $16 / $48 / $85 at retail network pharmacies. TRICARE For Life has no enrollment fee, but you must keep paying Medicare Part B.
- 2026 TRICARE Cost Overview
- TRICARE Open Season for 2027
- Understanding Group A vs. Group B
- Active Duty Family Member Costs
- Retiree TRICARE Prime Costs
- Retiree TRICARE Select Costs
- TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Costs
- TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) Costs
- TRICARE Young Adult Costs
- 2026 Pharmacy Costs
- TRICARE For Life Costs
- TRICARE Prime vs. Select Comparison
- Frequently Asked Questions
What you pay for TRICARE depends on three things: who you are (active duty, family member, retiree, Guard or Reserve), which group you fall into, and which plan you choose. This guide lists the 2026 enrollment fees, deductibles, copays, catastrophic caps, premiums and pharmacy costs from TRICARE’s own 2026 Costs and Fees fact sheet, and flags what to do before Open Season closes on December 8. If you are still choosing between the two main plans, our TRICARE Prime vs. Select guide compares how they work, not just what they cost.
2026 TRICARE Cost Overview
TRICARE costs reset each calendar year. The figures below are for January 1 through December 31, 2026. TRICARE says enrollment fees and other costs change with the federal cost-of-living adjustment each year, and it publishes the next year’s costs shortly before Open Season. At the time of writing, TRICARE’s cost page still showed 2026 costs only, so treat the numbers below as current for 2026 and check TRICARE.mil for 2027 before you choose a plan.
Your actual costs depend on three factors:
- Your beneficiary category: active duty, active duty family member, retiree or retiree family member, Guard or Reserve, young adult, and so on
- Your beneficiary group: Group A (the sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment began before Jan. 1, 2018) or Group B (on or after Jan. 1, 2018)
- Your plan: TRICARE Prime, Select, Reserve Select, Retired Reserve, Young Adult, or TRICARE For Life
Veterans who use VA care, or whose family uses CHAMPVA, have a separate set of rules. Our CHAMPVA vs. TRICARE guide explains the difference.
TRICARE Open Season for 2027
According to TRICARE, Open Season is Nov. 9 to Dec. 8, 2026, and changes take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. During Open Season you can stay in your plan, enroll if you are not enrolled, or change plans, including switching between individual and family enrollment.
- Who can use it: people who have or qualify for TRICARE Prime options (including the US Family Health Plan and the Prime Demo) or TRICARE Select.
- Who cannot: active duty service members, TRICARE For Life beneficiaries, and people enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Retired Reserve or TRICARE Young Adult.
- Outside Open Season: a Qualifying Life Event, such as a move, marriage, birth or retirement, opens a 90-day window for eligible enrollment changes.
- Dental and vision are separate. The Federal Benefits Open Season for FEDVIP dental and vision runs Nov. 9 to Dec. 14, 2026. See our guide to military dental and vision benefits for how those plans work.
If you do nothing, your current plan generally continues. If your retirement, move or family size has changed, or the 2027 fees are higher than you want to pay, Open Season is your chance to switch without a Qualifying Life Event.
Understanding Group A vs. Group B
One of the biggest factors in your TRICARE costs is which group you belong to:
| Group | Definition | Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment began before Jan. 1, 2018 | Lower enrollment fees, deductibles and, for most retirees, lower catastrophic caps |
| Group B | Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment began on or after Jan. 1, 2018 | Higher retiree enrollment fees, higher catastrophic caps, but some lower copays |
Important: premium-based plans (TRICARE Reserve Select, Retired Reserve and Young Adult) use the Group B cost structure for deductibles, cost-shares and catastrophic caps, regardless of when the sponsor entered service. This is how they appear on TRICARE’s fact sheet.
Active Duty Family Member Costs
Active duty service members pay no enrollment fees or deductibles, and have $0 out of pocket when they follow plan rules. Active duty family members and transitional survivors pay nothing under Prime, but have deductibles and copays under Select.
TRICARE Prime: Active Duty Family Members
| Cost type | Group A | Group B |
|---|---|---|
| Annual enrollment fee | $0 | $0 |
| Annual deductible | $0 | $0 |
| Primary care (network) | $0 | $0 |
| Specialty care (network) | $0 | $0 |
| Urgent care (network) | $0 | $0 |
| Emergency visit | $0 | $0 |
| Inpatient (network) | $0 | $0 |
| Catastrophic cap (per family) | $1,000 | $1,324 |
TRICARE Select: Active Duty Family Members
| Cost type | Group A | Group B |
|---|---|---|
| Annual enrollment fee | $0 | $0 |
| Annual deductible, E-1 to E-4 | $50 indiv / $100 family | $66 indiv / $132 family |
| Annual deductible, E-5 and above | $150 indiv / $300 family | $198 indiv / $397 family |
| Primary care (network) | $28 | $19 |
| Specialty care (network) | $39 | $33 |
| Urgent care (network) | $28 | $26 |
| Emergency visit (network) | $103 | $52 |
| Inpatient (network) | $24.50 per day or $25 per admission, whichever is more | $79 per admission |
| Non-network care | 20% cost-share | 20% cost-share |
| Catastrophic cap (per family) | $1,000 | $1,324 |
Retiree TRICARE Prime Costs
Military retirees and their family members who choose TRICARE Prime pay an annual enrollment fee and fixed copays. Prime has no deductible, but you must use your primary care manager and get referrals, and care outside those rules can trigger point-of-service fees.
2026 TRICARE Prime: Retirees and Their Family Members
| Cost type | Group A | Group B |
|---|---|---|
| Annual enrollment fee (individual) | $381.96 | $462.96 |
| Annual enrollment fee (family) | $765.00 | $927.00 |
| Annual deductible | $0 | $0 |
| Primary care visit (network) | $26 | $26 |
| Specialty care visit (network) | $39 | $39 |
| Urgent care (network) | $39 | $39 |
| Emergency visit | $79 | $79 |
| Inpatient (per admission) | $198 | $198 |
| Catastrophic cap (per family) | $3,000 | $4,635 |
Note: Group A medically retired sponsors, their family members and survivors keep their enrollment fee frozen at the rate in effect when they were classified, as long as there is no break in enrollment. Prime Demo enrollees have enrollment fees waived for the first 12 months.
Point-of-Service Fees Under Prime
If you use a non-network provider without a referral for nonemergency care, TRICARE’s point-of-service option applies. The annual point-of-service deductible is $300 per person or $600 per family, and after that you pay 50% of the TRICARE-allowable charge. These fees do not count toward your catastrophic cap, and the option does not apply to active duty members.
Retiree TRICARE Select Costs
TRICARE Select lets you see any TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral, but you pay a deductible and higher copays than Prime. Group A retirees pay far less in enrollment fees than Group B.
2026 TRICARE Select: Retirees and Their Family Members
| Cost type | Group A | Group B |
|---|---|---|
| Annual enrollment fee (individual) | $186.96 | $594.96 |
| Annual enrollment fee (family) | $375.00 | $1,191.00 |
| Annual deductible (individual) | $150 | $198 network / $397 non-network |
| Annual deductible (family) | $300 | $397 network / $794 non-network |
| Primary care visit (network) | $38 | $33 |
| Specialty care visit (network) | $52 | $52 |
| Urgent care (network) | $38 | $52 |
| Emergency visit (network) | $138 | $105 |
| Inpatient (network) | $250 per day or up to 25% of the hospital charge, whichever is less, plus 20% of separately billed services | $231 per admission |
| Non-network care | 25% cost-share | 25% cost-share |
| Catastrophic cap (per family) | $4,381 ($3,000 for medically retired sponsors, family members and survivors) | $4,635 |
Not sure which plan fits your situation? Our TRICARE plans compared guide covers every plan side by side, and our Prime vs. Select guide walks through the trade-offs. If you are a veteran with a service-connected disability, see how VA health care enrollment can work alongside TRICARE.
TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Costs
TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan for qualified members of the Selected Reserve and their families. It follows the Group B cost structure. Guard and Reserve members should also review the National Guard VA benefits guide.
2026 TRS Costs
| Cost type | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Monthly premium, member only | $57.88 |
| Monthly premium, member and family | $286.66 |
| Annual deductible, E-1 to E-4 | $66 indiv / $132 family |
| Annual deductible, E-5 and above | $198 indiv / $397 family |
| Primary care (network) | $19 |
| Specialty care (network) | $33 |
| Urgent care (network) | $26 |
| Emergency visit (network) | $52 |
| Inpatient (network) | $79 per admission |
| Non-network care | 20% cost-share |
| Catastrophic cap (per family) | $1,324 |
TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) Costs
TRICARE Retired Reserve is a premium-based plan for qualified retired Reserve Component members who are under age 60 and not yet eligible for TRICARE as a retiree. It follows the Group B cost structure.
2026 TRR Costs
| Cost type | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Monthly premium, member only | $645.90 |
| Monthly premium, member and family | $1,548.30 |
| Annual deductible (individual) | $198 network / $397 non-network |
| Annual deductible (family) | $397 network / $794 non-network |
| Primary care (network) | $33 |
| Specialty care (network) | $52 |
| Urgent care (network) | $52 |
| Emergency visit (network) | $105 |
| Inpatient (network) | $231 per admission |
| Non-network care | 25% cost-share |
| Catastrophic cap (per family) | $4,635 |
TRICARE Young Adult Costs
TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) covers unmarried adult children up to age 26 who have aged out of regular TRICARE coverage. Premiums are monthly, per person, and the rest of the cost structure follows the sponsor’s status. TRICARE has posted the 2027 monthly premiums: $893 for TYA-Prime and $394 for TYA-Select, starting with the 2027 calendar year.
2026 TYA Costs
| Cost type | TYA-Prime | TYA-Select |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium (per individual) | $794 2027: $893 | $363 2027: $394 |
| Annual deductible, active duty or TRS sponsor | $0 | $66 (E-1 to E-4) / $198 (E-5+) |
| Catastrophic cap, active duty or TRS sponsor | $1,324 per family | $1,324 per family |
| Primary care, active duty or TRS sponsor | $0 | $19 |
| Annual deductible, retired or TRR sponsor | $0 | $198 network / $397 non-network |
| Catastrophic cap, retired or TRR sponsor | $4,635 per family | $4,635 per family |
| Primary care, retired or TRR sponsor | $26 | $33 |
Premiums and point-of-service fees do not count toward the catastrophic cap.
2026 Pharmacy Costs
TRICARE lists the same pharmacy copays for calendar years 2026 and 2027 on its pharmacy costs page. Active duty service members pay $0 for covered drugs at military pharmacies, home delivery and network retail pharmacies.
Pharmacy Copays for Most Beneficiaries
| Pharmacy type | Generic | Brand-name formulary | Non-formulary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Military pharmacy (up to 90 days) | $0 | $0 | Generally not available without medical necessity |
| TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery (up to 90 days) | $14 | $44 | $85 |
| Retail network pharmacy (up to 30 days) | $16 | $48 | $85 |
TRICARE Prime Remote enrollees pay $0 at home delivery and retail network pharmacies.
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Frozen Copays for Medically Retired Members and Survivors
Section 702 of the FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act froze pharmacy copays at 2017 rates for medically retired service members, their family members and survivors of active duty members. Per TRICARE, those copays are:
| Pharmacy type | Generic | Brand | Non-formulary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Military pharmacy | $0 | $0 | Generally not available without medical necessity |
| Home delivery | $0 | $20 | $49 |
| Retail network | $10 | $24 | $50 |
Non-Network Pharmacies
Prime plans pay 50% after the point-of-service deductible at non-network pharmacies in the United States. Under other plans, after the annual deductible, formulary drugs cost $48 or 20% of the total cost (whichever is more), and non-formulary drugs cost $85 or 20%.
Save Money on Prescriptions
- Use military pharmacies: $0 copay for covered drugs.
- Use home delivery for maintenance medications: a 90-day generic costs $14, versus $16 for 30 days at retail.
- Ask for a generic: brand-name formulary costs $44 to $48, compared with $14 to $16 for generics.
- Check the formulary: use TRICARE’s Formulary Search Tool to see which tier a drug is in.
TRICARE For Life Costs
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is for beneficiaries who have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. It works alongside Medicare rather than replacing it. TRICARE says there is no enrollment fee for TFL, but you must pay your Medicare premiums.
- Enrollment fee: none.
- Medicare Part B premium: the standard monthly premium is $202.90 in 2026, per CMS. It can be higher depending on your income. The 2026 Part B deductible is $283.
- How claims are paid: Medicare pays first and sends the claim to the TFL claims processor, and TRICARE then pays the provider for TRICARE-covered services.
- Out-of-pocket costs: TRICARE says you generally have no out-of-pocket costs for services that both Medicare and TRICARE cover.
- Overseas: Medicare covers care only in the U.S. and its territories. Elsewhere, TRICARE is the primary payer and you pay TRICARE’s deductible and cost-shares. If you live overseas you must keep Medicare Part B to remain eligible.
If your TRICARE coverage ends or you lose a sponsor, see our guide to the Survivor Benefit Plan for how coverage and income interact, and our military retirement pay guide for the retired pay that funds many of these fees.
TRICARE Prime vs. Select Comparison
Choosing between Prime and Select depends on your health needs, where you live and your budget. This comparison reflects the 2026 retiree costs above.
| Feature | TRICARE Prime | TRICARE Select |
|---|---|---|
| Primary care manager (PCM) | Required | Not required |
| Referrals for specialty care | Required | Not required |
| Provider network | Military clinic or Prime network | Any TRICARE-authorized provider |
| Retiree enrollment fee (individual) | $381.96 (A) / $462.96 (B) | $186.96 (A) / $594.96 (B) |
| Deductible (retirees) | None | $150 (A) / $198 network (B) |
| Retiree primary care copay | $26 | $38 (A) / $33 (B) |
| Retiree catastrophic cap | $3,000 (A) / $4,635 (B) | $4,381 (A) / $4,635 (B) |
| Best for | Those near a military clinic who want predictable costs | Those who want to choose their own provider |
Group A retirees often pay less for Select than for Prime, while Group B retirees pay more for Select. Before you decide, compare the numbers for your own group, and read our Prime vs. Select guide for the non-cost differences.
KEEP READING
Every TRICARE plan side by side, with who qualifies for each.
How to enroll in VA care, and how it can work alongside TRICARE.
VA Veterans Benefits: Your Complete Guide →
The full range of VA benefits, from health care to disability to education.
Frequently Asked Questions
TRICARE Open Season is Nov. 9 to Dec. 8, 2026. During that window you can enroll in, change or leave TRICARE Prime options (including the US Family Health Plan and Prime Demo) or TRICARE Select, and switch between individual and family enrollment. Changes take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. Active duty members, TRICARE For Life beneficiaries and people in TRS, TRR or TYA cannot use Open Season.
Yes, but only after a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), such as a move, marriage, birth of a child or retirement. A TRICARE QLE opens a 90-day period for eligible enrollment changes, and a QLE for one family member lets all eligible family members make changes.
TRICARE For Life has no enrollment fee, but you must have Medicare Part A and Part B and pay your Medicare premiums. The standard 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 a month and the Part B deductible is $283. Medicare pays first, and TRICARE generally covers what is left for services both cover, so most beneficiaries have no out-of-pocket costs on those services.
Group A medically retired sponsors, their family members and survivors keep their TRICARE Prime enrollment fee frozen at the rate in effect when they were classified, as long as they stay continuously enrolled. Group B enrollees are not covered by that freeze. See our TRICARE plans compared guide for the plan options.
The catastrophic cap is the most you pay in covered copays, cost-shares and deductibles in a calendar year. Point-of-service fees and premiums do not count toward it. For retirees, the 2026 cap is $3,000 per family for Group A Prime, $4,381 for Group A Select and $4,635 for Group B.
TRICARE’s costs are on TRICARE.mil, including the 2026 Costs and Fees fact sheet. Pharmacy costs are on TRICARE’s pharmacy costs page. Confirm your costs with your regional contractor or military facility, since policies can differ.
This article is provided by USMilitary.org, an independent educational resource. We are not affiliated with the Defense Health Agency, TRICARE, or any government agency. For official TRICARE information, visit TRICARE.mil. This content is for informational purposes only.
