TRICARE, Medicare work together for eligible beneficiaries Published Nov. 10, 2008 By Ric Carlson 21st Medical Group PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 21st Medical Group wants beneficiaries who receive a disability check to ensure they are getting the TRICARE coverage they are entitled to receive. In general, most beneficiaries become eligible for Medicare at age 65. However, many beneficiaries younger than 65 also qualify for Medicare, and there is one critical fact they need to know: Most TRICARE beneficiaries who are eligible for premium-free Medicare are required under federal law to enroll in Medicare Part B to be eligible for TRICARE For Life. Medicare Part A covers inpatient care in hospitals and skilled-nursing facilities. It also covers hospice and some home health care. Medicare Part B is medical insurance. It helps cover outpatient and physician services as well as some physical and occupational therapies and home health care. The Medicare Part B premium currently is $96.40 and will remain the same for 2009. Individual premiums could be higher, based on income. When Medicare coverage is effective, it becomes the primary insurance, while TRICARE becomes the secondary payer. Beneficiaries who take appropriate steps to maintain their TRICARE eligibility often will have no out-of-pocket expenses for health care services covered by Medicare and TRICARE. Medicare-eligible beneficiaries under the age of 65 have the option to continue enrollment in TRICARE Prime or use TRICARE For Life. If they remain enrolled in TRICARE Prime, annual enrollment fees are waived if applicable. Active duty family members are not required to have Medicare Part B coverage to remain eligible for TRICARE. When the active duty member retires, Medicare-eligible family members must have Medicare Part B or they lose their eligibility for TRICARE. Detailed information on how Medicare and TRICARE work together for eligible beneficiaries younger than 65 is available through the TRICARE Web site (www.tricare.mil), where users can download a new "Using TRICARE and Medicare" flier.