Frequently Asked Questions

I have TRICARE For Life and paid out of pocket for services. I thought TRICARE was supposed to pay my medical bills in full?

When you get care covered only by:

• Medicare (for example: chiropractic careUsed to treat pain in your back, neck, arm or leg joints, and headaches. It focuses on the power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.):
  • Medicare processes the claim as the primary payer;
  • TRICARE doesn’t pay on the claim; and
  • You’re responsible for Medicare deductibles and cost shares.

• TRICARE (for example: TRICARE-covered services received overseas):
  • Medicare doesn’t pay on the claim;
  • TRICARE processes the claim as the primary payer;
  • You’re responsible for the TRICARE deductible and cost-shares.

To learn more, visit the TRICARE For Life Cost Matrix page.