10/12/2026
📢 Medicare Open Enrollment Is Almost Here!
October 15 – December 7, 2026
If you have Tricare for Life (TFL), now is a good time to review your Medicare coverage, especially if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan you’re not happy with! During Medicare Open Enrollment, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare, or make changes to your Medicare prescription drug coverage. Changes made during this period take effect January 1, 2027.
Do you need Medicare Advantage to have TFL?
No! You typically only need Medicare Parts A and B, along with your Tricare eligibility, to have TFL. With Original Medicare, Medicare pays first and TFL pays second. When both cover a service, you typically have nothing to pay out of pocket. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is another way to receive your Medicare benefits through a private insurance company approved by Medicare.
These plans must cover the services Original Medicare covers, but they may have different rules about which doctors you can see and which services need approval. Some people choose Medicare Advantage because they like the additional benefits certain plans offer, such as dental, vision, hearing, or fitness memberships. Some plans are even designed to work alongside TFL.
What is the Medicare Part B Giveback?
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer a Part B Giveback, which reduces the amount you pay for your monthly Medicare Part B premium. The projected standard Medicare Part B premium for 2027 is $209.50 per month. People with higher incomes may pay more.
For example, if a plan offers a $150 monthly Giveback:
• Projected Part B premium: $209.50/month
• Example monthly Giveback: $150
• Estimated remaining premium: $59.50/month
That would reduce your Part B premium by $1,800 over the year.
This isn’t a separate bonus payment. It simply reduces what you pay for Part B. If your premium comes out of your Social Security check, you would typically see a smaller deduction once the Giveback takes effect. Not every plan offers this benefit, and amounts vary by plan and location. A Giveback also doesn’t eliminate the plan’s other costs or restrictions.
What if you have several health conditions or see multiple specialists?
Original Medicare with TFL may be easier to navigate, especially if you see several doctors or receive ongoing treatments. With Original Medicare, you can see doctors nationwide who accept Medicare without worrying about whether they’re in a specific Medicare Advantage network. Medicare Advantage plans may require you to use certain doctors, obtain referrals, or get approval from the insurance company before receiving some services.
There’s also a difference in how claims are handled. With Original Medicare, Medicare typically sends your claim information directly to TFL. With Medicare Advantage, you may need to submit paperwork yourself to receive reimbursement from TFL. That doesn’t mean Medicare Advantage is a bad choice! Some people are happy with their plans and appreciate the additional benefits. Just be sure you understand how a plan works with TFL before enrolling.
Even plans marketed specifically to military retirees can have different rules and costs. Before choosing one, ask whether your doctors are in its network, whether you’ll need approval for ongoing treatments, and how claims and reimbursements work with TFL. Don’t assume TFL will cover every charge.
Do you need Medicare Part D for prescriptions?
Typically, no! Part D is Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. Since Tricare already provides prescription coverage, most people with TFL don’t need a separate Part D plan. One reason you might consider Part D is the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program, which is intended to help certain people with Medicare access qualifying weight-loss medications.
The program requires qualifying Part D coverage and meeting specific medical requirements. Those who qualify pay $50 for a monthly supply of an eligible medication. It is currently scheduled to continue through December 31, 2027. Part D may have additional premiums and costs, and enrolling doesn’t guarantee eligibility for the Bridge Program. Be sure to review the medical requirements and covered medications before enrolling.
Learn more: https://www.medicare.gov/glp1bridge
What if you’re unhappy with your Medicare Advantage plan?
You can switch plans or return to Original Medicare during Open Enrollment, October 15 through December 7. If you’re already enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you’ll have another opportunity to make one eligible change between January 1 and March 31, 2027. Changes during this second enrollment period take effect the first day of the following month. If you’re happy with Original Medicare and TFL, you don’t need to make any changes!
If you currently have Medicare Advantage, take a few minutes to review your Annual Notice of Change. This is the document your insurance company sends explaining what’s changing for the upcoming year, including costs, benefits, and coverage rules.
What if you’re turning 65 and haven’t enrolled in Medicare yet?
Medicare Open Enrollment is not the enrollment period for signing up for Medicare Parts A and B for the first time. That is a separate process with different enrollment deadlines. If you’re approaching age 65, make sure you understand when you need to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B to avoid a gap in your Tricare coverage.
Need help understanding your options?
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling in every state. They’re not an insurance company, and their counselors can help you compare plans, understand costs, and review your options.
Find your local SHIP counselor: https://www.shiphelp.org
1-877-839-2675
You can also contact:
Medicare: 1-800-633-4227
https://www.medicare.gov
WPS (Tricare for Life contractor): 1-866-773-0404
Our biggest advice? Do your homework before making changes! Make sure your doctors accept the plan, understand what you’ll pay, and ask how it works alongside TFL. A plan offering additional benefits or a Part B Giveback may sound appealing, but those benefits should be weighed against any additional restrictions or costs.
We also have a resource explaining the differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage with TFL: https://www.tflcareinitiative.com/resource-center/medicare-advantage-vs-original-medicare-tricare-for-life
Our goal at the Tricare for Life Care Initiative is to help you understand your benefits so you can make informed decisions about your health care coverage.
Disclaimer: The Tricare for Life Care Initiative is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, Tricare, Medicare, or any insurance company. Information shared is for educational purposes only and is not intended as individualized insurance advice. Benefits, eligibility, costs, and plan availability can vary. Always verify information with Medicare, Tricare, or the appropriate plan administrator before making coverage decisions.
