How TFL and Medicare split the bill
TRICARE describes TFL as Medicare-wraparound coverage for TRICARE-eligible people who have Medicare Part A and Part B, regardless of age or where they live. With Original Medicare, your doctor or hospital bills Medicare, Medicare pays its share, and Medicare sends the claim to TRICARE's TFL claims processor. You don't enroll in TFL, there's no TFL card and no enrollment fee, but you pay the Part B premium ($202.90 a month for most people in 2026).
| Your situation | Who pays first |
|---|---|
| Retired, with Medicare and TFL | Medicare, then TRICARE |
| You or your spouse still work and have employer coverage | Employer plan, then Medicare, then TRICARE |
| You also have a Medigap policy | Medicare, then Medigap, then TRICARE |
| Care at a military hospital or clinic | TRICARE |
What it means in Florida
- Any Medicare provider. TFL adds no network. Doctors and hospitals from Pensacola to Key West that accept Medicare work with TFL, and so do providers in other states if you travel or spend summers up north.
- Military hospitals and clinics. TRICARE says you can get care at a military hospital or clinic only if space is available. Florida's two military hospitals are Naval Hospital Jacksonville and the 96th Medical Group hospital at Eglin AFB; bases such as MacDill, Tyndall, Patrick and Hurlburt Field have clinics. Expect to use civilian Medicare providers for most care.
- VA care is different. VA facilities aren't Medicare-authorized providers. For non-service-connected care at VA, TRICARE pays only up to 20% of its allowable charge and you pay the rest.
- Prescriptions. TRICARE says TFL includes drug coverage through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, so you generally don't need Part D. Military pharmacies at several Florida bases fill prescriptions for retirees.
- Medigap is optional. Because TFL already pays after Medicare, compare what a Medigap policy would add before you pay for one.
Keep Part B. If you're eligible for premium-free Part A and drop Part B, TRICARE says you lose TRICARE coverage except prescriptions filled at a military pharmacy.
Getting TFL at 65
- Sign up for Part B on time. TRICARE says to enroll no later than one month before your birth month (if your birthday isn't on the first) to avoid a gap.
- Check DEERS. Make sure your record shows your Medicare coverage.
- Show both cards. Give providers your Medicare card and your uniformed services ID card so claims go to the right place.
Full details are in our guide to military retirees, veterans and TRICARE in Florida. If you're considering a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan alongside TFL, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
Can military retirees use base pharmacies?
Military pharmacies with Medicare in Florida.
Can I use VA and Medicare together?
Who pays for what, visit by visit.
Do I need Part B with VA care?
Why VA encourages it, and the penalty.
Sources
- TRICARE — TRICARE For Life
- TRICARE — TRICARE For Life Handbook
- TRICARE — Using TRICARE For Life at Veterans Affairs facilities
- Medicare.gov — Who pays first? (TRICARE)
- CMS — Hospital General Information (military hospitals in Florida)
More questions in this guide
- Do I need Medicare Part B if I have VA health care in Florida?
- Can military retirees on Medicare use base pharmacies at MacDill, Jacksonville or Pensacola?
- Can I use VA and Medicare together in Florida?
Part of the guide: Military retirees, veterans and TRICARE in Florida: how Medicare fits · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Does TFL work with any doctor in Florida?
TFL follows Medicare, so you can see any provider who accepts Medicare, in Florida or in other states. TFL doesn't add a network of its own.
Can I use TFL with a Medicare Advantage plan?
Yes. The plan pays first and you use its network. TRICARE's TFL handbook says TFL can reimburse copayments for TRICARE-covered services when you file a paper claim.
Does TFL cover my spouse?
TFL covers each eligible person who has Medicare Part A and Part B. A spouse under 65 keeps their own TRICARE plan until they become eligible for Medicare.
Medicare in your Florida county
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