TRICARE Prime enrollment fees increase Oct. 1

Published July 23, 2012

FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- New TRICARE Prime enrollment fees for uniformed service retirees and their families will begin Oct. 1. Retirees who were enrolled before Oct. 1, 2011 will see a more significant increase since their enrollment fee remained at the 2011 levels of $230 and $460 per year when the fees increased last year.

The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2012 allows for the annual increase of TRICARE Prime enrollment fees for most retired beneficiaries based on the annual cost-of-living adjustment. Exceptions to annual increases are for survivors of deceased active-duty sponsors and medically retired service members and their dependents.

Here's how the increase will affect beneficiaries enrolled before Oct. 1, 2011:

-- People now pay $230 per year for individual coverage, and $460 per year for family coverage. Beginning Oct. 1, individual coverage is $269.28 per year, and family coverage is $538.56 per year.

Beneficiaries enrolled on or after Oct. 1, 2011, including all new enrollments:

-- People now pay $260 per year for individual coverage, and $520 per year for family coverage. Beginning Oct, 1, individual coverage is $269.28 per year, and family coverage is $538.56 per year.

All TRICARE Prime enrollees are required to pay annual enrollment fees, except active-duty service and family members, transitional survivors, and beneficiaries younger than 65 with Medicare Parts A and B.

For more information, click here. (Courtesy of TRICARE)