Who must have Part B
TRICARE's TFL handbook says Part B is required to stay TRICARE-eligible, once you're eligible for premium-free Part A, if you are:
- A retired service member, including retired National Guard and Reserve members drawing retired pay
- A family member of a retired service member
- A survivor of a deceased sponsor or an eligible former spouse
- A Medal of Honor recipient or an eligible family member
This applies whether you have Medicare because of age, a disability or end-stage renal disease.
When Part B isn't required
| Situation | Part B needed to keep TRICARE? |
|---|---|
| Active duty service member or active duty family member | No, while the sponsor is on active duty. Enroll before active duty ends. |
| Neither you nor your spouse qualifies for premium-free Part A | No. Update DEERS with Social Security's notice. |
| Enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Retired Reserve or TRICARE Young Adult | Not required, but TRICARE strongly encourages it to avoid late penalties. |
Active duty family members with end-stage renal disease don't get the Part B Special Enrollment Period. TRICARE says to enroll in Part A and Part B when first eligible.
When to sign up
- Know your Initial Enrollment Period. It's 7 months around your 65th birthday month. If you already get Social Security, you're enrolled automatically.
- Sign up early in it. TRICARE advises enrolling no later than the month before your birth month (two months before if your birthday falls on the first) so TFL starts with no break.
- Working with job-based coverage? If you or your spouse still work and have group coverage, you can delay Part B, but TRICARE says to sign up before that coverage ends so TFL starts right away.
Ohio retirees sign up for Part B through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or ssa.gov. More on Medicare Part B and our guide to veterans, TRICARE and Medicare in Ohio. If you have questions about how Part B fits with other coverage, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
Does TRICARE For Life work with Medicare in Ohio?
Who pays first, and how claims move.
What happens to TRICARE Prime at 65?
The switch to TFL.
Do I need Medicare if I have VA care?
Why VA says to sign up.
Sources
- TRICARE — TRICARE For Life Handbook (eligibility and Medicare Part B)
- TRICARE — Becoming Medicare-eligible
- TRICARE — TRICARE For Life
- Medicare.gov — Costs
More questions in this guide
- Can military retirees on Medicare use the Wright-Patterson pharmacy?
- Can veterans in Ohio have Medicare Advantage and VA care?
- Do I need Medicare if I have VA health care in Ohio?
- Does TRICARE For Life work with Medicare in Ohio?
- What happens to TRICARE Prime when I turn 65?
Part of the guide: Veterans, TRICARE and military retirees in Ohio: how Medicare fits · All questions
Frequently asked questions
I'm still on active duty at 65. Do I need Part B?
No. Active duty service members and active duty family members can delay Part B without a penalty and sign up during a Special Enrollment Period, any time while on active duty or within 8 months after the sponsor retires or TRICARE ends. Sign up before active duty ends to avoid a gap.
What if I don't qualify for premium-free Part A?
If neither you nor your spouse qualifies for premium-free Part A, you don't need Part B to keep TRICARE. Take Social Security's notice to a Uniformed Services ID card office so DEERS is updated.
I have Medicare because of a disability. Do I need Part B?
Yes, if you're a retiree or family member. With Part A and Part B you can stay in TRICARE Prime if you qualify, or you're covered by TFL. Keep paying the Part B premium if your disability payments stop.
What does Part B cost?
The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026; people with higher incomes pay more. Signing up late adds 10% for each full 12-month period you went without it.
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