TRICARE For Life (TFL)

Army National Guard: Active Duty Under Title 10 USC or Title 32 USC (Full-Time National Guard Duty)

Benefit Fact Sheet

Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn
Summary

TRICARE for Life (TFL) is TRICARE's Medicare-wraparound coverage available worldwide to TRICARE beneficiaries who are also entitled to Medicare. Essentially, TFL acts as a supplement to Medicare Part A and B, there are no special enrollment procedures or TRICARE premium payments. 

DFAS will provide IRS Form 1095-C to all U.S. military members, and IRS Form 1095-B to all retirees, annuitants, former spouses and all other individuals having TRICARE coverage during all or any portion of tax year 2023. An IRS Form 1095 documents you (and your family members, if applicable) have the minimum essential coverage. These forms will document the information that DFAS will provide to the IRS on yourself and your authorized family members. According to the IRS, these forms are not required to prepare or file income tax returns but will be available via myPay no later than 31 January 2024.

Eligibility

National Guard Soldiers on federal active duty and active duty Family Members are not typically eligible for TRICARE for Life. Generally only retired Soldiers  who have Medicare Part A and B and in receipt of retired pay are eligible for TFL, as well as their dependent family members, surviving spouses and certain former apache helicopter with stars shining overheadSpouses who have Medicare Part A & B.

However, active duty family members who become entitled to Medicare Part A (age 65, or disabled, or end stage renal disease) are not required to purchase Medicare Part B in order to use TFL. When the active duty soldier retires, family members must have Medicare Part B coverage in place upon the date of retirement to avoid loss of TRICARE benefits.

TRICARE Benefits change frequently so be sure to reference the TRICARE site at https://tricare.mil/

Additional Information

For more information, please visit the TRICARE for Life webpage maintained by the TRICARE Management Activity:
https://tricare.mil/tfl

TRICARE DEERS Information:
https://tricare.mil/DEERS

TRICARE for Life Handbook:
https://tricare.mil/~/media/Files/TRICARE/Publications/Handbooks/TFL_HBK.pdf

Medicare Part A and B information: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs

Document Review Date: 22 January 2024