MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

TRICARE Standard vs Prime

TRICARE Logo

* Updated January 2016

TRICARE Prime is the HMO-type health care plan that covers all uniformed service members. An active-duty service member is automatically covered by TRICARE Prime (even so, he/she must fill out and turn in an enrollment form that records his Prime coverage).

  • Many active-duty family members choose to enroll in Prime. There are no enrollment fees, deductibles, or co-payments. If they choose not to enroll, they are covered under Standard.
  • Retirees and retiree family members and survivors (under age 65) also may choose to enroll in Prime. They pay an enrollment fee and small co-pays. If they choose not to
    enroll in Prime, they are covered under Standard.
  • Prime enrollees receive most health care at the MTF, where their care is supervised by a primary care manager (PCM). MTF services are augmented by a network of “preferred” or “in-network” providers, who are managed by one of the three TRICARE regional contractors. Standard beneficiaries can make appointments with any authorized
    provider of their choice.
  • Prime enrollees must adhere to certain rules regarding their health care: For specialty care, for example, they must receive a referral from their PCM and then get an authorization for care from the regional contractor. For most specialty care, Standard beneficiaries make their own appointments with the provider of their choice.
  • Prime enrollees do not deal with paperwork claims; their claims are filed for them by the provider. Standard beneficiaries often must file their own paperwork claims.
  • Prime enrollment is not universally available. In areas where Prime and TRICARE Prime Remote are not available, beneficiaries are covered under TRICARE Standard.
TRICARE Links
TRICARE Overview
TRICARE Prime
TRICARE Prime for Drug and Alcohol
TRICARE Standard
TRICARE Extra
TRICARE & American Association of Pediatrics
TRICARE & DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System)
TRICARE & WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
TRICARE Claims How to file a TRICARE Claim
TRICARE Continued Health Care Benefits
TRICARE Dental
TRICARE Eligibility
TRICARE Family-Centered Care includes Obstetric Care
TRICARE for Life
TRICARE for Life and Medicare
TRICARE Generic Pharmacy Brochure
TRICARE Information – Puerto Rico
TRICARE Overseas
TRICARE Pharmacy
TRICARE Prime Enrollment Info
TRICARE Prime Remote
TRICARE Prime Travel and Non-Medical Attendant (NMA)
TRICARE Providers
TRICARE Reserve Select
TRICARE Standard vs Prime

Comments

Filed Under: Benefits, Resources

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Space Force Makes Warrior Games Debut

JULY 15, 2025 – Colorado Springs, a city that serves as the vital hub for space operations, is playing host to a different kind of mission this year: the Department of Defense Warrior Games. And for the first time, Guardians are among the nearly 200 wounded, ill and injured athletes competing in 11 adaptive sports […]

Air National Guard Unveils New Bonus Program

MARCH 11, 2023 – On March 1st, the Air National Guard (ANG) launched a new bonus program to attract and retain personnel in critical specialties. The initiative offers significant financial rewards, with bonuses of up to $90,000 for eligible members, depending on their Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). This strategic move aims to strengthen the […]

Education Benefits Make Stronger Service Members

APRIL 3, 2025 – Within the armed forces, a variety of educational benefits are available that allow service members to both improve themselves and make themselves more valuable to their service branch. One example is the Military Tuition Assistance Program. The program is available to enlisted personnel, officers and warrant officers in the Army, Navy, […]

Former Soldier Navigates Job Hunt

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 — In early 2017, Michael Quinn endured what he called the worst day in the worst year of his life. Quinn, then a sergeant major and 24-year Army Soldier, had weathered deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines. As an Army counter-intelligence agent, he said he learned to operate under grave circumstances […]

Financial Planning for Military Families

JUNE 25, 2025 – Have you ever wondered how military families manage their finances while dealing with deployments, relocations, and changing pay structures? Financial planning is a vital part of life for families who serve. With unique benefits, challenges, and lifestyle changes, military families must make smart financial decisions that protect their future and help […]

Recent Posts

  • Space Force Makes Warrior Games Debut
  • USS Mount Whitney Returns to Homeport
  • DoD Releases 2024 Civilian Casualties Report
  • Exercise Begins with Record Participation and Enduring Purpose
  • Guard Responds to Multiple Search and Rescue Missions
MAINMENU




SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2025 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.