North Carolina is home to a large military community, from Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Cherry Point. If you're a military retiree or veteran turning 65 here, Medicare works a little differently for you. Triangle Life and Health is a veteran-owned agency, and this guide explains how the pieces fit together.
TRICARE For Life in one paragraph
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is Medicare-wraparound coverage for TRICARE-eligible people who have Medicare Part A and Part B. For services both programs cover, Medicare pays first and TRICARE For Life generally pays second, so many people pay little or nothing out of pocket for covered care in the U.S. There's no TFL enrollment fee. You pay your Part B premium.
Rule #1: Get Part B on time
To keep TRICARE when you become eligible for premium-free Part A (usually at 65, or earlier due to disability), you must have Part B. If you don't enroll, you can lose TRICARE coverage. The main exception is if your sponsor is still on active duty: you don't need Part B until your sponsor retires.
| Cost | 2026 amount |
|---|
| Part B standard premium | $202.90 a month (higher with higher income) |
| Part B deductible | $283 a year |
About Part B: CMS usually announces next year's Part B premium and deductible in the fall. Until it does, any 2027 Part B number you see is an estimate. We'll update this page once CMS releases the official figures.
How each Medicare option fits with TRICARE For Life
| Option | Do you need it with TFL? |
|---|
| Part A + Part B | Yes. Required to keep TRICARE (with the active-duty exception above). |
| Part D drug plan | Usually not. TFL includes the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, and it counts as creditable coverage, so there's no late penalty if you join Part D later. |
| Medigap (Medicare Supplement) | Usually not. TFL generally covers what Medicare leaves behind for services both cover. |
| Medicare Advantage | Optional. Some people choose a plan for extras like dental or vision (benefits vary by plan and area). You'll use the plan's network, may pay copays up front, and may need to file claims with TRICARE for reimbursement. |
VA health care is different from TRICARE
Many veterans have VA health care but not TRICARE. VA and Medicare don't coordinate benefits: the VA covers care at VA facilities (or care the VA authorizes), and Medicare covers care you get outside the VA. North Carolina has VA medical centers in Asheville, Durham, Fayetteville and Salisbury, plus clinics across the state, but many veterans also want doctors closer to home.
If you only have VA care, Part B isn't required, but skipping it has a cost later: if you change your mind, you may have to wait for the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) and pay a Part B late enrollment penalty of 10% for each full 12-month period you went without it.
A simple checklist for military retirees turning 65
- 3 months before 65: sign up for Parts A and B through Social Security (unless you're enrolled automatically).
- Update DEERS so your TRICARE record shows Medicare.
- Keep using TRICARE Pharmacy for prescriptions (home delivery or network pharmacies).
- Decide whether a Medicare Advantage plan's extras are worth it for you, or whether Original Medicare + TFL is enough.
- Look at dental and vision separately. TFL doesn't cover routine dental, so many retirees look at FEDVIP or other dental coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Medicare Part B if I have TRICARE?
Yes, in most cases. To keep TRICARE when you become eligible for premium-free Part A (usually at 65, or earlier due to disability), you must have Part B. The main exception: if your sponsor is still on active duty, you don't need Part B until the sponsor retires.
Do I need a Part D drug plan with TRICARE For Life?
Usually not. TRICARE For Life includes drug coverage through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, and that coverage counts as creditable. That means you won't pay a late enrollment penalty if you join a Part D plan later.
Should I buy a Medigap policy if I have TRICARE For Life?
Most people with TRICARE For Life don't need one. Medicare pays first and TRICARE For Life generally pays what's left for services both cover, so a Medigap policy would mostly duplicate coverage you already have.
Can I join a Medicare Advantage plan with TRICARE For Life?
Yes. Some people choose one for extras such as dental, vision or fitness benefits (benefits, availability and costs vary by plan and area). You'll use the plan's network and may pay copays at the time of service. TRICARE For Life can reimburse copays for TRICARE-covered services, but you may need to file a claim.
I use VA health care. Do I still need Part B?
It's worth serious thought. VA and Medicare don't coordinate: VA covers care at VA facilities, and Medicare covers care outside the VA. If you skip Part B and later want it, you may have to wait for the General Enrollment Period and pay a late enrollment penalty.
Talk It Through With a Local Agent
Triangle Life and Health is an independent agency in Raleigh, licensed since 2013. Our help is free to you. We compare plans from several carriers against your doctors, prescriptions, and budget. Book a free review or call 919-689-6565.
Sources: TRICARE.mil (TRICARE For Life, Becoming Medicare-Eligible, Pharmacy for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries, TRICARE For Life Handbook); Medicare.gov (how Medicare works with VA coverage, General Enrollment Period); SSA; CMS "2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles."
Michael Cubell : Oct 3, 2026, 7:57:18 PM