TRICARE Retired Reserve

TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) is a premium-based, worldwide health plan that qualified retired Reserve members and survivors may purchase.

Plan Overview
TRR offers comprehensive health coverage from any TRICARE-authorized provider, network or non-network. Referrals are not needed for any type of care but some services may require prior authorization. The type of provider you see determines how much you’ll pay out-of-pocket. If you’re visiting a network provider, you’ll pay less out of pocket and the provider will file claims for you. You may receive care in military treatment facilities on a space-available basis.

Monthly Premiums
The monthly premium amount is based on the type of coverage you select when you complete the Reserve Component Health Coverage Request Form (DD Form 2896-1):

• TRR Member-Only coverage: $408.01 per month
• TRR Member-and-Family coverage: $1,020.05 per month

Premium amounts may be adjusted annually, effective January 1 each year, in accordance with applicable legislation. Note: The law requires members to pay the full cost of coverage under TRR with no government subsidy.

Step 1: Qualify
Retired Reserve members may qualify if they are:

• Members of the retired Reserve of a Reserve Component who are qualified for non-regular retirement under 10 U.S.C., Chapter 1223
• Under age 60
• Not eligible for, or enrolled in, the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program

Survivors of retired Reserve members may qualify if all of the following applies:

• The sponsor was covered by TRR on the date of his or her death.
• They are immediate family members of the deceased sponsor (spouses cannot have remarried).
• TRR coverage would begin before the date the deceased sponsor would have turned 60 years old.

Note: Survivor coverage is not affected by FEHB eligibility

To qualify for TRR:

• Log on to the DMDC Reserve Component Purchased TRICARE Application. You must have either a:
  • Department of Defense (DoD) Common Access Card (CAC),
  • DFAS (MyPay) Account, or
  • DoD Self-Service Logon (DS Logon) Premium (Level 2) account. The DS Logon Premium (Level 2) account is given to a user who has registered using their CAC or DFAS myPay Login ID or who:
    • Completes an in-person proofing process by an agency official.
    • Completes the remote proofing by calling the DEERS/ DMDC Support Office (DSO) at 1-800-538-9552 or 1-866-363-2883 for the hearing impaired 
    • You must have a retired military ID card to complete the remote TRR proofing process. Hours of Operation are Monday through Friday 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time.
    • View all frequently asked questions about getting a DS Logon. 
• Select "Purchase Coverage" and follow the instructions.
  • If you certify that you are eligible for or enrolled in FEHB, you do not qualify and cannot purchase TRR.
  • If you certify that you are NOT eligible for or enrolled in FEHB, you will be guided through the process of selecting a TRR start date and electing which family members you want covered.
• Print and sign the completed Reserve Component Health Coverage Request Form (DD Form 2896-1).

Note: If you do not qualify, you will not be able to complete or print the form. Please contact your National Guard or Reserve personnel office for assistance. If you experience a technical problem, call 1-800-477-8227 for assistance.

Step 2: Purchase
Mail the completed and signed Reserve Component Health Coverage Request Form (DD Form 2896-1) with the premium payment amount printed on the form (minimum of two months’ premiums) to your regional or overseas contractor by the applicable deadline.

You may purchase TRR coverage to begin in any month of the year. The application form must be postmarked or received no later than the last day of the month before coverage is to begin. Coverage begins on the first day of the first or second month (whichever you select on the form).

If you qualify based on loss of other TRICARE coverage, changes in family composition or for TRR survivor coverage, your application deadlines and effective dates of coverage will vary.

1. Loss of Other TRICARE Coverage: If you lose coverage under another TRICARE health care plan (i.e. TRICARE Reserve Select) and qualify for TRR, you may purchase TRR with no break in coverage. Your application must be postmarked or received no later than 30 days after the loss of the other TRICARE coverage, and TRR begins on the day after you lose your prior TRICARE coverage.

2. Change in Family Composition: If your family composition changes (e.g., marriage, birth, adoption, death), you may purchase or change existing TRR coverage.  Your application must be postmarked or received no later than 60 days after date of the change, and TRR coverage date coincides with the date of change in the family.

3. Survivor Coverage: If you have TRR coverage when your sponsor passes away, you may purchase or continue TRR until the day your sponsor would have turned age 60.  

• • If you have TRR member-and-family coverage at the time of your sponsor’s death, DEERS will automatically convert it to TRR survivor coverage.  To opt out of TRR survivor coverage, a written letter or a Reserve Component Health Coverage Request Form (DD Form 2896-1) must be postmarked or received no later than 60 days after the date of your sponsor’s death. Premiums will be refunded if there have been no claims for health care submitted during this 60-day period.
  • If your sponsor had TRR member-only coverage at the time of his/her death, you may qualify to purchase TRR survivor coverage. Your application must be postmarked or received within 60 days of your sponsor’s death, and TRR survivor coverage will be effective on the date your sponsor died.

Out-of-Pocket Costs
After you’ve met an annual deductible, you’re responsible to pay a cost-share (or percentage). Here’s a quick snapshot of TRR costs:

Type of Provider	Outpatient Cost Share	Inpatient Cost Share
Network Providers	20% of the negotiated rate	$250 per day or 25% of billed charges for institutional services, whichever is less, plus 20% cost-share for separately billed services.
Non-Network Providers	25% of the TRICARE allowable charge Powered by pixfuture	$535 per day or 25% of billed charges for institutional services, whichever is less, plus 25% cost-share for separately billed services

Is TRICARE Retired Reserve Right for You?
TRR may be the right option for you and your family if you qualify. The plan provides comprehensive health care coverage upon your retirement and you do not have to wait until you reach age 60 and begin drawing retired pay to purchase the plan. Plus, because you can see any provider, you don’t have to change providers if you already have one.