What's the difference between TRICARE Prime and select?
Asked by: Adolphus Smith | Last update: January 1, 2026Score: 5/5 (38 votes)
Is it better to have TRICARE Prime or Select?
If I were in your situation, I would probably go Select. It will be slightly more expensive than Prime, but assuming he joined 2018 or later your annual out of pocket maximum is about $1200. I think it would be worth $1200 to avoid changing doctors, needing referrals, and having to travel farther for care.
What does TRICARE Select not cover?
In general, TRICARE excludes services and supplies that aren't medically or psychologically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of a covered illness (including mental disorder), injury, or for the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy or well-child care.
Do spouses get TRICARE Prime or Select?
New active duty family members are automatically enrolled in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select, depending on their location. If eligible for other plans, these family members have 90 days from the date of your marriage to change their plan. Family members of retirees aren't automatically enrolled in TRICARE.
What are the three types of TRICARE?
This fact sheet provides an overview of TRICARE health plans, including TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, TRICARE For Life, and TRICARE Plus.
Best Tricare Options for Military Retirees
What is the best TRICARE option?
TRICARE Select offers the most freedom of choice. There's no required PCM. You manage your own health care and can receive care from any TRICARE-authorized provider. However, you'll pay higher out-of-pocket costs when you receive care outside the established network of providers.
Who is eligible for TRICARE Prime?
Retired Army National Guard Soldiers and family members who are under age 65 or not otherwise eligible for Medicare are eligible to utilize TRICARE Prime once the reserve component soldier completes 20 years of qualifying service, reaches age 60, and starts receiving retired pay.
Who isn t eligible for TRICARE Select?
Tricare Select is a fee-for-service insurance plan that lets you see any doctor. Everyone eligible for Tricare with the exception of active-duty members can enroll in the Tricare Select plan.
Can you switch from TRICARE Select to prime?
The beneficiary's address must be accurate and in the same region as their enrollment. You can change a plan from TRICARE Prime or Remote to TRICARE Select or from TRICARE Select to TRICARE Prime or Remote.
How do I know if I have TRICARE Select or Prime?
Are you enrolled in a plan but not sure which one? If so, you can find out which plan you're enrolled in: By logging into your account in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System via milConnect, or. By calling your regional contractor.
Are er visits covered by TRICARE Select?
TRICARE covers emergency care to include professional and institutional charges and services and supplies that are ordered or administered in an emergency room The hospital department that provides emergency services to patients who need immediate medical attention..
Do I have a copay with TRICARE Select?
When you see a TRICARE-authorized network provider, you'll pay a copayment. If you see a TRICARE-authorized non-network provider, you'll pay a cost-share after you meet your annual deductible.
Is TRICARE Prime good insurance?
Tricare Prime is great for those who prefer the security of a managed network, easy budgeting without unexpected costs, and want to receive care on base or within Tricare's established network. Tricare Select is all about giving you the freedom to choose your healthcare providers without a network restriction.
What are some disadvantages of TRICARE?
TRICARE plans have specific payment restrictions for certain diagnostic services, utilization limits on visits or consultation and procedures that TRICARE deems not proven effective.
Who is TRICARE Select for?
Tricare Select is a fee-for-service insurance plan that lets you see any doctor. If you visit a network doctor, you normally will have to pay only a small copay. This plan is available to active-duty family members, veterans and retirees.
Should I enroll in TRICARE Prime or select?
If you're on active duty, you have to enroll in TRICARE Prime. All others can choose to enroll in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select. TRICARE Prime offers fewer out-of-pocket costs than TRICARE Select, but less freedom of choice for providers. If you have other health insurance, TRICARE Prime might not be right for you.
At what age does TRICARE Prime stop?
Retirees and their spouses individually lose their TRICARE benefit on the last day of the month prior to their 65th birth month. Unless covered by their own (or their spouse's) employer health care plan, they must enroll in Medicare or face premium penalties for late enrollment.
Can I be seen off base with TRICARE Prime?
While enrolled in TRICARE Prime, you must seek your care from your primary care manager. TRICARE Standard gives you the freedom to seek care outside of the base; however you will have a deductible and copay.
Do spouses have TRICARE Prime or Select?
Spouse and Family Health Care Options
Active duty spouses may also be able to enroll in one of these Prime plans with their active duty sponsors: TRICARE Prime Remote* TRICARE Prime Overseas*
Why does no one accept TRICARE?
The problem stems from the fact that most Tricare managed care support contractors have negotiated physician reimbursement rates that are even lower than those paid by Medicare.
Can I go to a military hospital with TRICARE Select?
Care at military hospitals or clinics is available only if space is available. You don't need a referral for any type of care but some services may require pre-authorization. You may have to pay the provider in full when you receive care and file a claim with TRICARE for reimbursement.
Who does TRICARE Prime cover?
Tricare Prime is a health insurance program offered to active-duty members, retirees, activated Guard and reserve members, and families. If you're on active duty, you have to enroll in Tricare Prime. All others can choose to enroll in Tricare Select.
Is my military ID my TRICARE card?
You need to register in DEERS to get TRICARE., you'll be issued a uniformed services identification (ID) card. Providers will ask to see your ID card and will make copies for his or her records. Have your ID card with you whenever you are getting care or prescriptions filled.
Can I go to any doctor with TRICARE Prime?
If you have TRICARE Prime Remote, you can use non-network providers if network providers aren't available in your remote location. If you're enrolled in TRICARE Prime, you may see a non-network provider only if: You decide to use the point-of-service option, or.