I was active duty when I retired so was in TriCare all along and can’t help much with the enrollment at 60. This link will help:
https://tricare.mil/Plans/Eligibility/NGRRandFamilies. Looks like you will be eligible for either TriCare Prime or TriCare Select. There are reservists/guard here that can give you their input. Either way, you get to pay. Free medical care for life is a myth.
I chose TriCare Prime because there is a military care facility close by and no copays. It was OK because I was used to it. My wife did not like it at all but was only a dependent for three years and never got used to it.
Once you are enrolled in the TriCare system, when you turn 65 you will automatically be converted to TriCare for Life (TFL) IF you enroll in Medicare part B. Otherwise TriCare dumps you. It was pretty seamless once I signed up for Medicare part B. TFL is free but Medicare part B is about five times more costly than TriCare Prime was.
I have not used any medical insurance since I retired from Fed service so can’t say how Medicare being primary insurance works out.
Most FEHB plans don’t work outside the US. Medicare doesn’t work outside the US. TriCare will according to the link above.
Also make sure your Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) info is up to date.
https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/.
I am concerned I may end up having to buy :
1. FEHB
2. Tri-care select for my wife after I get to age 60.
3. Medicare when I turn 65
4. Some other foreign nation coverage from another provider if I happen to live in Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, Italy.
- Maybe not. Buy it in to Fed retirement and then suspend it, don’t cancel it and see how the TriCare system works for you
- Probably, Select or Prime. Would be prudent to do it, suspend FEHB and see how it works out.
- Yes for part A, it’s free if you are eligible, and yes for part B if you want to remain in the TriCare system
- Maybe not, read the TriCare link above.
I understand the working longer than planned thing. I did it for two years. You’ll live. It will be over before you know it.
There is a thread about TriCare on here.
https://www.tsptalk.com/mb/day-to-da...y-tricare.html. I asked the mods if they could move it so people could find it. Read it.
PO
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