Tricare for Life coverage will be effective when your Medicare is effective. Medicare Part A is free for eligible beneficiaries, but there will be a premium for Medicare Part B. The premium amount varies yearly and may be based on your income.
Humana TRICARE and Medicare are two programs that play crucial roles in providing health coverage to different groups of individuals. Here’s what you need to know:
- TRICARE and Medicare Interaction:
- TRICARE is the health care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. It provides comprehensive coverage for medical services, prescriptions, and more.
- Medicare, on the other hand, is a federal health insurance program primarily for people aged 65 and older, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities or specific medical conditions.
- Becoming Medicare-Eligible:
- At Age 65:
- If you’re age 65 and entitled to Medicare, you are automatically covered by TRICARE For Life (TFL). TFL acts as a wraparound coverage, paying your out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare for TRICARE-covered services.
- You are not eligible to enroll in other TRICARE health plans.
- Under Age 65:
- If you’re under age 65 and Medicare-eligible, you have options:
- Enroll in a TRICARE Prime option or use TRICARE For Life.
- TRICARE-eligible family members under 65 can also enroll in different TRICARE health plans.
- Request enrollment changes within 90 days of the Medicare-eligible family member’s Medicare effective date.
- If you’re under age 65 and Medicare-eligible, you have options:
- At Age 65:
- Medicare Basics:
- Original Medicare (Parts A and B):
- Part A: Hospital insurance (financed by payroll deductions during working years).
- Part B: Medical insurance (primarily covers outpatient services; you pay a premium based on income).
- Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap):
- Optional coverage that pays out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C):
- Offered by private companies, it provides all Part A and Part B services, often with Part D pharmacy coverage.
- TRICARE For Life:
- Coordinates with Medicare, eliminating the need for you to file claims.
- Original Medicare (Parts A and B):
- Important Considerations:
- Medicare Part B Requirement:
- To maintain TRICARE coverage, you must have Medicare Part B, even if you live overseas.
- Failure to have Part B may result in losing TRICARE coverage.
- Sign up for Part B during your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period.
- Veterans and Medicare Advantage Plans:
- Humana Medicare Advantage (MA) plans complement VA coverage.
- They offer additional benefits, affordable costs, and options for care closer to home.
- Medicare Part B Requirement:
Medicare Part B
For 2024, the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $174.70, which is an increase of $9.80 from the 2023 premium of $164.901. Additionally, the annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $240 in 2024, up from $226 in 20231.
If your income is above a certain threshold, you may be subject to an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), which is an additional charge on top of the standard monthly premium. The IRMAA affects individuals with an income of more than $103,000, or couples filing jointly with an income above $206,0002. The exact amount of the IRMAA depends on your income level.
Please note that these figures are based on the information available as of now and could be subject to change. It’s always a good idea to check the latest details from the official Medicare website or contact Medicare directly for the most current information.
Understanding the intricacies of TRICARE and Medicare is essential!
