by Col. Bob Thompson
Air Force Reserve Public Affairs
4/1/2013 – WASHINGTON (AFNS) — TRICARE has affordable healthcare programs available for all Air Force Reserve retirees – including “gray-area retirees” and actively-participating Air Force reservists, no matter what orders they are on.
Reservists who retire before age 60 are eligible for TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage while they are in the “gray area.” This is the waiting period between retiring from active service and collecting their Air Force Reserve retirement pay at age 60.
While on active-duty orders for more than 30 days, all reservists are covered by TRICARE Prime. However, reservists could find themselves without healthcare insurance when they are in between active-duty orders. To ensure coverage for themselves and their families, reservists can enroll in TRICARE Reserve Select.
Both TRICARE Reserve Select and TRICARE Retired Reserve provide comprehensive health coverage including: emergency care; outpatient visits, hospitalization, maternity care, mental/behavioral health care, prescriptions and preventive care such as wellness exams and immunizations.
Currently, the monthly premiums for TRICARE Reserve Select are: $51.62 for the reservist only and $195.81 for reservists and their families.
The monthly premiums for TRICARE Retired Reserve are: $402.11 for the retired reservist only and $969.10 for the retirees and their families.
At age 60, TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage ends and retirees are eligible for additional coverage through TRICARE Prime, Standard, or Extra. Currently, the yearly premiums for TRICARE Prime are: $269.28 for the individual plan, and $538.56 for the family package.
At age 65, all Americans come under Medicare coverage. Also, Medicare health insurance covers people under 65 with certain disabilities.
To find out more or to enroll in TRICARE’s programs for reservists, go to: www.tricare.mil/trs.