Active-duty sailors are automatically enrolled in TRICARE Prime at no cost. Reserves use TRICARE Reserve Select (~$47/month). Veterans may qualify for VA healthcare or TRICARE Retired Reserve.
TRICARE Plans for Active-Duty Sailors
Active-duty sailors are automatically enrolled in TRICARE Prime. It is the most comprehensive plan with zero out-of-pocket costs at military treatment facilities.
| Plan | Who It's For | Annual Premium | Deductible | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRICARE Prime | Active duty (free) | $0 | $0 | MTF primary care, low copays |
| TRICARE Prime (family) | Active duty + dependents | $0 | $0 | Covers spouse and children |
| TRICARE Select | Retirees, dependents | $475-$950/yr | $165-$330/yr | Civilian providers, no referral |
| TRICARE Reserve Select | Reservists (not activated) | $564-$2,784/yr | Same as Select | Reserve-specific plan |
| TRICARE Retired Reserve | Retired reservists | $1,462-$3,928/yr | Same as Select | Until age 65 (then Medicare) |
TRICARE for Navy Reservists
When not on active duty orders, Navy reservists and their families use TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS). This is a premium-based plan that must be purchased:
- Member-only: ~$47/month ($564/year)
- Member + family: ~$232/month ($2,784/year)
- When called to active duty for more than 30 days, you transition to free TRICARE Prime automatically
TRICARE After Separation (CHCBP)
After leaving active duty, the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) provides a bridge to civilian coverage:
- Must enroll within 60 days of losing TRICARE eligibility
- Coverage for 18 months (36 months for dependents in certain situations)
- Premium: ~$557/month (individual) or ~$1,266/month (family)
- Not an affordable long-term solution - use it as a bridge to civilian or VA coverage
VA Healthcare vs TRICARE
Veterans who qualify for VA healthcare can use it instead of or alongside TRICARE:
- VA healthcare is free for veterans with service-connected conditions rated at 50%+ or income below thresholds
- VA specializes in mental health, TBI, PTSD, prosthetics, and substance use - often better than civilian TRICARE for these conditions
- TRICARE has broader civilian network access; VA is VA-facility-only (mostly)
- Veterans can maintain both VA and TRICARE in many cases
Dental and Vision for Navy Members
TRICARE does not cover dental or vision for active-duty sailors. These are covered separately:
- Dental: Active duty - free dental at military treatment facilities. Dependents use the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) for ~$18-35/month.
- Vision: Active duty get routine eye exams at no cost. For glasses/contacts, the TRICARE Vision benefit covers one exam per year; dependent coverage varies by plan.
Supplemental Health Insurance
While TRICARE Prime is comprehensive, some sailors add supplemental coverage for:
- Civilian specialist access without referrals
- Coverage during PCS moves between duty stations
- Dental and vision bundled policies
- Critical illness or accident coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
TRICARE Prime is free for active-duty sailors. There are no premiums, no deductibles, and no copays for care at military treatment facilities (MTFs). Civilian network care has small copays ($12-$30). Dependents also receive free coverage under TRICARE Prime.
Reservists not on active duty orders use TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS), which costs about $47/month for member-only or $232/month for family coverage. TRS provides the same coverage as TRICARE Select. When activated for more than 30 days, reservists automatically get free TRICARE Prime.
After separation, you may qualify for CHCBP for up to 18-36 months. After that, veterans may use VA healthcare. Retirees with 20+ years qualify for TRICARE Select or TRICARE Prime (at MTF space-available). Non-retired veterans generally need to find civilian coverage or qualify for VA healthcare.