Want to learn about TRICARE For Life?

Check out this handbook

By TRICARE Communications     May 2025

You may be approaching age 65, or you may have a disability or a medical condition that makes you eligible for Medicare and TRICARE For Life before you turn age 65. In either case, you’ll benefit from checking out the TRICARE For Life Handbook, at: https://tricare.mil/Publications/Handbooks/tricare_for_life.

“The TRICARE For Life Handbook is your go-to resource for all things related to the Medicare and TRICARE,” said Robert Agnello, team lead, beneficiary web and publications, for the Defense Health Agency. “It is your guide to understanding your TFL coverage.”

Here’s a closer look at what the handbook highlights.

Understanding how TFL works

Wondering what the transition to TFL will be like? The first thing you should know is that if you’re TRICARE-eligible and have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, your transition to TFL is automatic. You don’t need to enroll.

As you make the transition, the handbook can help ease the way. The sections take you through:

  • Medicare and TRICARE eligibility
  • How Medicare and TFL work together
  • What services are covered
  • How to get care where you live and when you travel

You’ll learn how TFL works with other health insurance. The handbook also describes your dental and vision coverage options, including through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).

Remember, you have TFL when you’re TRICARE-eligible and have premium-free Medicare Part A (hospitalization insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance, which has a monthly premium), regardless of age or where you live.

Knowing your pharmacy coverage options

Pharmacy coverage is often a priority, and details can be found on: https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Pharmacy. TFL offers the same comprehensive prescription drug coverage as other TRICARE health plans, as well as the same convenient options for filling your prescriptions. You can get your prescriptions through:

  • Military pharmacies
  • TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery
  • TRICARE retail network pharmacies
  • Non-network pharmacies

Note: You don’t need a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to keep your TRICARE prescription drug coverage.

In addition to finding the TRICARE For Life Handbook online, did you know you can also order a printed copy? To order, contact WPS Military and Veterans Health at: www.tricare4u.com, or the TFL contractor, at (866) 773-0404.

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