TRICARE Costs 2026: Complete Pricing Guide
TRICARE costs for 2026 vary by plan type and beneficiary category. Active duty service members pay $0 for TRICARE Prime. Active duty families pay $0 enrollment with minimal copays. Retirees pay annual enrollment fees of $375-$765 for families (depending on Prime vs Select and Group A vs B), plus copays or cost-shares for services. Premium-based plans include TRICARE Reserve Select at $286.66/month for families and TRICARE Young Adult at $363-$794/month.
Active Duty Costs
Service members and their families
Active Duty Service Member
Automatically enrolled in TRICARE Prime
✓ 100% free healthcare at MTFs and network providers
Active Duty Family Members
Can choose Prime or Select
| Cost | Prime | Select |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment | $0 | $0 |
| Deductible | $0 | $150/$300 |
| Primary Care | $0 | 15% |
| Specialist | $0 | 15% |
| ER Visit | $0 | 20% |
| Cat Cap | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Retiree Costs (2026)
Military retirees and their families
Group A vs Group B Retirees
Group A: Entered service before January 1, 2018 (lower costs)
Group B: Entered service on/after January 1, 2018 (higher costs)
Group A Retirees (Pre-2018)
| Cost Category | TRICARE Prime | TRICARE Select |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Enrollment (Individual) | $382 | $187 |
| Annual Enrollment (Family) | $765 | $375 |
| Annual Deductible (Individual) | $0 | $150 |
| Annual Deductible (Family) | $0 | $300 |
| Primary Care Visit | $26 copay | 20% |
| Specialist Visit | $39 copay | 20% |
| Urgent Care | $39 copay | 20% |
| Emergency Room | $79 copay | 25% |
| Inpatient Hospital | $198/admission | $250/day (min $25) |
| Outpatient Surgery | $79 copay | 20% |
| Catastrophic Cap | $3,000 | $4,381 |
Group B Retirees (2018 or Later)
| Cost Category | TRICARE Prime | TRICARE Select |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Enrollment (Individual) | $408 | $200 |
| Annual Enrollment (Family) | $817 | $401 |
| Annual Deductible (Individual) | $0 | $175 |
| Annual Deductible (Family) | $0 | $350 |
| Primary Care Visit | $30 copay | 25% |
| Specialist Visit | $46 copay | 25% |
| Catastrophic Cap | $3,500 | $5,029 |
Premium-Based Plans (2026)
These plans require monthly premium payments in addition to cost-shares.
TRICARE Reserve Select
Guard & ReserveSame benefits as TRICARE Select. Available to Selected Reserve members not on active duty.
TRICARE Retired Reserve
Gray Area RetireesFor Reserve/Guard retirees under age 60 who aren't yet eligible for regular retiree TRICARE.
TRICARE Young Adult
Ages 21-26For adult children who age out of regular TRICARE at 21 (or 23 if student).
Tip: Compare TYA costs to ACA marketplace plans - subsidies may make marketplace cheaper.
TRICARE Pharmacy Costs (2026)
Prescription drug copays by fill location
| Drug Type | Military Pharmacy | Home Delivery (90-day) | Retail (30-day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic | $0 | $12 | $14 |
| Brand-Name Formulary | $0 | $34 | $38 |
| Non-Formulary | $0 | $68 | $68 |
💡 Money-Saving Tip: Fill prescriptions at military pharmacies for $0 copays. Use TRICARE home delivery for 90-day supplies of maintenance medications - it's cheaper than retail and more convenient.
TRICARE vs Civilian Insurance Costs
See how TRICARE stacks up against typical employer and ACA marketplace plans.
| Annual Cost | TRICARE Retiree | Employer Plan | ACA Marketplace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Premium (Family) | $375 - $765 | ~$6,575 | ~$6,000+ |
| Deductible | $0 - $300 | ~$1,500 | ~$3,000 |
| Out-of-Pocket Max | $3,000 - $4,381 | ~$6,000 | ~$9,000 |
| Primary Care Copay | $26 - $30 | ~$30 - $50 | ~$30 - $50 |
| Estimated Total (Moderate Use) | ~$1,500 - $2,500 | ~$9,000 - $12,000 | ~$10,000 - $15,000 |
TRICARE Saves Thousands Annually
Military retirees with TRICARE typically save $7,000 - $12,000 per year compared to civilian health insurance options. This makes TRICARE one of the most valuable benefits of military retirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about TRICARE costs and pricing.
How much does TRICARE cost in 2026?
TRICARE costs vary by plan and beneficiary status. Active duty families pay $0 enrollment. Retiree families pay $375-$765/year for Prime or Select. TRICARE Reserve Select costs $286.66/month for families. TRICARE Young Adult costs $363-$794/month. Plus copays or cost-shares for care received.
What is the TRICARE Prime enrollment fee for 2026?
For 2026, TRICARE Prime annual enrollment fees for retirees are: Group A (retired before 2018): $382 individual / $765 family. Group B (retired 2018 or later): $408 individual / $817 family. Active duty families pay $0 enrollment.
What is the TRICARE Select enrollment fee for 2026?
For 2026, TRICARE Select annual enrollment fees for retirees are: Group A: $187 individual / $375 family. Group B: $200 individual / $401 family. Active duty families pay $0 enrollment for Select.
What is the TRICARE catastrophic cap for 2026?
The 2026 TRICARE catastrophic caps (maximum out-of-pocket) are: Active duty families: $1,000 (Prime) / $1,000-$1,324 (Select). Retiree Group A: $3,000 (Prime) / $4,381 (Select). Retiree Group B: $3,500 (Prime) / $5,029 (Select).
How much is TRICARE Reserve Select per month in 2026?
TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) monthly premiums for 2026 are: $57.88 for individual coverage and $286.66 for family coverage. These premiums are paid monthly and provide TRICARE Select-level benefits.
How much does TRICARE Young Adult cost in 2026?
TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) monthly premiums for 2026 are: TYA Prime: $794/month and TYA Select: $363/month. TYA covers adult children ages 21-26 who age out of regular TRICARE coverage.
What is the difference between Group A and Group B retirees?
Group A retirees are those who entered service before January 1, 2018, or retired before that date. Group B retirees entered service on or after January 1, 2018. Group B pays slightly higher enrollment fees and has higher catastrophic caps.
Does TRICARE have a deductible?
TRICARE Prime has no deductible. TRICARE Select has annual deductibles: Active duty families pay $150 individual / $300 family. Retirees pay $150 individual / $300 family (Group A) or higher for Group B. The deductible must be met before cost-shares apply.
How much are TRICARE pharmacy copays?
TRICARE pharmacy copays for 2026 vary by where you fill prescriptions: Military pharmacy: $0. Home delivery (90-day): $12 generic / $34 brand / $68 non-formulary. Retail (30-day): $14 generic / $38 brand / $68 non-formulary.
Is TRICARE free for active duty?
Yes, TRICARE Prime is completely free for active duty service members - no enrollment fees, no copays, no deductibles. Active duty family members also pay $0 enrollment but may have small copays or cost-shares depending on their plan choice (Prime or Select).
Disclaimer: Navitize is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to TRICARE, the Defense Health Agency, the Department of Defense, or any branch of the U.S. military. This guide is compiled from publicly available information for educational purposes only and does not constitute official TRICARE guidance. For official information, visit tricare.mil. TRICARE coverage, costs, and eligibility rules may change. Always verify current information with official sources before making healthcare decisions.