Active Duty Service Members

If entitled to Medicare Part A, you're not required to have Medicare Part B to keep TRICARE. If waiting on a medical retirement determination, you're encouraged to keep Medicare Part B to ensure that you don't have a break in TRICARE coverage when you retire. 

Medicare-Eligibility due to a Disability

If you have a disability and receive Social Security disability payments, you'll become eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B beginning the 25th month of receiving Social Security disability payments, regardless of your age. You're eligible for a Medicare Part B special enrollment period anytime while on active duty or within the first eight months following retirement or loss of TRICARE, whichever comes first. To avoid a break in TRICARE coverage, enroll in Medicare Part B before you retire.  

Medicare-Eligibility due to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

If you are entitled to premium-free Medicare Part A because you have ESRD, you're strongly encouraged to keep Part B because you won’t be eligible for a special enrollment period.

If you decline or terminate Part B coverage, you may enroll in Medicare Part B during the general enrollment period which occurs each year January 1 through March 31. The Medicare Part B Late Enrollment PenaltyYour monthly premium for Part B may go up 10% for each full 12-month period that you could have had Part B, but didn't sign up for it. will apply.