Some TRICARE Fees Could Change

Retirees under age 65 could see their TRICARE fees rise, while some military families would see theirs drop, Military Times reported June 14. The proposed changes are outlined in the Senate version of the 2019 defense-spending bill, now pending on Capitol Hill.
Briefly, retirees who still are of working age would have to pay fees for TRICARE Select — $450 per person and $900 per family. Currently, they pay no fees. TRICARE Prime beneficiaries would have to pay higher enrollment fees than currently — $350 per person and $700 per family. The present fees are $289.08 per person and $578.16 per family.
The change would address an inequity in the co-payment structure, but is drawing criticism from military advocates because it essentially increases out-of-pocket expenses.