{"id":12729,"date":"2018-05-03T13:00:22","date_gmt":"2018-05-03T13:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/05\/03\/benefits-basics-tricare-plans\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T01:44:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:44:24","slug":"benefits-basics-tricare-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/pay-benefits\/military-benefits\/health-care-benefits\/2018\/05\/03\/benefits-basics-tricare-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits basics: Tricare plans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor\u2019s note: <\/b>This is one in a series of pieces that make up the Military Times 2018 Benefits Guide. Read or download the entire e-book here; for more on the Tricare program, click here<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tricare Prime:<\/b> Prime is similar to a health maintenance organization, which has lower out-of-pocket costs but requires enrollees to use network providers and coordinate care through a primary care manager \u2014 a doctor, nurse practitioner or medical team. It\u2019s free to active-duty members and families; retirees must pay an annual enrollment fee ($289.08 for an individual, $578.16 for a family in 2018).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those whose initial period of service began before Jan. 1 are grandfathered in to these rates. Co-payments for medical visits are lower than other programs, and there are no deductibles unless patients get care outside the network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tricare Prime Remote:<\/b> Service members who live and work more than 50 miles or an hour\u2019s drive from the nearest military treatment facility must enroll in Tricare Prime Remote. Family members are eligible if they live with an enrolled service member in a qualifying location, or they may use Tricare Select.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tricare Prime Overseas\/Prime Remote Overseas:<\/b> Tricare Prime Overseas is a managed-care option for active-duty members and their command-sponsored family members living in nonremote locations. They have assigned primary care managers at a military treatment facility who provide most care and referrals for and coordination of specialty care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tricare Prime Remote Overseas is a managed care option in designated remote overseas locations, with most care from an assigned primary care manager in the local provider network, who provides referrals for specialty care. Activated National Guard and Reserve members and their families also may enroll in these options while the sponsor is on active duty; retirees and their families aren\u2019t eligible.<\/p>\n\n\n\t