Just became eligible and really didn't know much about it. Even my Medicare insurance agent didn't know much either.I have been researching and thinking of dropping my advantage and pharmacy plan. Would save me 250.00 a month.Just wondering what other people's experiences have been. Thanks in advance.

I started Medicare and TriCare for Life (TFL) last August. For 2025 I used straight up Medicare with TFL as my secondary - which is pretty much the equivalent of a Medicare Supplement. It worked fine last year, TFL covering my copays and almost all out of pocket expenses. I went without dental or vision coverage for 5 months.

This year I started a Humana Medicare Advantage plan that pays me $60 per month (Medicare reduces my premium each month) and gives me dental and vision coverage. The dental coverage so far has been excellent, will try out the vision plan soon, probably next week.

So far the coverage has been identical, all of my doctors take the Advantage plan, and TFL still acts as the secondary and pharmacy coverage.

I had an ambulance ride and emergency room visit about 10 days ago so I am waiting to see how well the Advantage plan does with all of that. TFL should cover anything the Humana Advantage plan doesn't. We will see.

While I am pleased with my Advantage plan, I'm not sure I would pay 200 a month for one, as I think you could self insure for the dental and vision or buy separate coverage. Since the one I'm on reduces my premiums and provides vision and dental I will most likely try it again next year.

The beauty of TFL is that it is basically a Supplemental Plan that is always there, even if you are on an Advantage Plan.

I think you will be fine with straight up Medicare and TFL as your pharmacy and secondary insurance.

Thank you Sigfan.

TFL and Medicare for spouse and I, and both cover virtually everything (and there's a catastrophic cap), but I'm also retired medical staff at UNMC and a former Creighton affiliate, and I taught some of my providers. At least I know they're good. Aging is hell, but the alternatives are not good....

Since the day I turned 65.

No dental or eye care, but cash is cheaper than premiums in both cases, tho I haven't investigated the coverage Sigfan Roy mentioned.

Wife has had significant health issues over the past couple of years, including an ambulance ride and a couple of brief hospitalizations and we haven't had a single bill. Even our co-pay for prescriptions is minor, usually a couple of dollars.

EDIT: I fibbed. Don't know what I was thinking. I DO have eye care via the VA, both exams and glasses.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PHPaul,

I consider tricare for life at Medicare age one of the most valuable benefits of my military retirement. As a long serving reserve component soldier, even with multiple activations and deployments in GWOT, my retirement pay isn’t a whole lot, but with health care costs and plans spiraling out of control knowing TFL will be there for me is very reassuring

As others have said, TFL is basically the supplement to Medicare.

I had knee replacement surgery after age 65, and Medicare covered that, with any additional expense covered by TFL.

I’m also in the VA system, so other than the meds co-pay, neither I nor the Wife have any real expense.

since my timer starts at the first of next month, and I am retired Navy, will definitely be watching what you old folks recommend.

My wife has been on Medicare & TFL for around a year now, and we haven’t paid anything other than the Part B premium. I have a few more years until I can start TFL, so I’m still on TRICARE Prime for now. Overall we’re happy (and grateful) for TRICARE.

We’re not currently planning to get an Advantage plan, but we’ll probably still consider them each year just to keep our options open.

I have Medicare, BCBS, and TFL as tertiary. TFL picks up any unreimbursed costs remaining after Medicare and BCBS. Very grateful to have TFL, especially since I pay no premium.

I should correct what I said about not paying anything -- I was referring to medical co-pays. We do still have co-pays for prescriptions through the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP) or retail pharmacies, but they're pretty reasonable.

As others have said, you're in great shape for medical care. My wife just had a lot of care (all outpatient), and we paid close to zero. Medicare will always be primary payer, TFL is secondary.

We live near a military pharmacy (Rock Island Arsenal) and get some meds there for $0. Others I get from the nearby (and much more efficient) supermarket pharmacy, co-pay is very little.

Captain 127 pointed it out; we earned a very valuable benefit.