Orlando Harmon
Military medical insurance is provided through TRICARE, the healthcare program for service members, retirees, and their families worldwide. TRICARE offers comprehensive coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as life insurance and pharmacy prescription options. Service members can also sign up for Service Members' Group Life Insurance (SGLI), a low-cost group life insurance plan. Additionally, veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving may be eligible for VA health care benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for military medical insurance? | All veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving are eligible for VA health care. This includes veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11. |
| Soldiers who serve full-time, as well as retirees and their families, are eligible for TRICARE, the Army's health insurance program. | |
| Soldiers stationed at a military installation can access primary care at military treatment facilities. | |
| Survivors of soldiers who die on active duty or in certain reserve duties may be eligible for a tax-free payment of $100,000 from the Armed Forces death gratuity program. | |
| What does military medical insurance cover? | TRICARE offers comprehensive coverage, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as prescription medication coverage. |
| TRICARE provides coverage for a range of mental health and substance use disorders, including opioid treatment programs, cancer clinical trials, durable medical equipment, home health care, hospice care, and skilled nursing facility care. | |
| TRICARE fills prescriptions for beneficiaries while traveling, both domestically and overseas. | |
| Service Members' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is a low-cost group life insurance option for Active-Duty, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard soldiers, with coverage ranging from $50,000 to $500,000. |
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What You'll Learn
Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits
VA health care benefits cover a range of services, including regular check-ups, appointments with specialists, and access to medical equipment, prosthetics, and prescriptions. Veterans can also receive coverage for mental health services, therapy, and rehabilitation, including physical therapy, vision rehab, and traumatic brain injury treatment. Additionally, VA health care benefits can provide assistance with non-medical services, such as beneficiary travel benefits, caregiver support, and transportation services to and from medical appointments. Each veteran's medical benefits package is unique and tailored to their specific needs.
For those who are transitioning out of active-duty service, there are special healthcare benefits available. If you are retiring, you are eligible for TRICARE. If you are separating from service due to a service-connected illness or injury, you may be eligible for VA health care benefits and certain TRICARE benefits. OEF/OIF/OND combat veterans who have recently returned from service can receive free medical care for any condition related to their service in Iraq or Afghanistan for 10 years after discharge.
To find out more about VA health care benefits and how to apply, individuals can visit the VA website or contact the VA directly. The website provides information on eligibility criteria, priority groups, and the application process. It also offers resources for specific needs, such as women's health, and information on service-related health concerns, such as Agent Orange-related diseases or Camp Lejeune water contamination. Additionally, individuals can learn about their basic rights and responsibilities when receiving care at a VA health facility and explore life insurance options available to veterans.
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TRICARE health plans
TRICARE is a comprehensive, integrated military health system that offers worldwide coverage. TRICARE health plans include TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, TRICARE For Life, TRICARE Plus, TYA, TRS, and TRR. Each plan has different costs for care and coverage, and you can use the TRICARE Compare Costs tool to view and compare costs for covered services, enrollment fees, and plan premiums. You can also use the TRICARE Covered Services tool to see if a service is covered and visit the TRICARE Formulary to check if your prescription drugs are covered.
Depending on your plan and location, you may be able to seek care from a military hospital or clinic, or from a civilian network of TRICARE-authorized providers. The Department of Defense operates many military hospitals and clinics, and your access to these will depend on your plan, your beneficiary category, and where you are. To find a doctor, you can use the Find a Doctor tool to get to the right directory for your region.
Dental coverage is separate from TRICARE's medical coverage and is based on your eligibility. You can confirm your eligibility online or by calling 800-538-9552. You can also find out more about health plan options and eligibility on the TRICARE website, as well as sign up for email updates and news releases.
If you are retiring, you are eligible for TRICARE. You may also qualify if you are separating from service due to a service-connected illness or injury.
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Health Insurance Marketplace
If you are a veteran, there are several options for military medical insurance. Firstly, you can check your eligibility for VA health care benefits. To be eligible, you must have served in the active military, naval, or air service and not have received a dishonorable discharge. You must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty. However, this minimum duty requirement may not apply if you were discharged for a disability caused or worsened by your active-duty service, or if you were discharged for a hardship or "early out."
If you are eligible for VA health care, you will be covered for regular check-ups, appointments with specialists, and services like home health and geriatric care. You can also access medical equipment, prosthetics, and prescriptions. Additionally, VA health care offers mental health services, including treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. If you are a female veteran, you can ask for the Women Veterans Program Manager for specific services.
If you are an OEF/OIF/OND combat veteran who has recently returned from service, you can receive free medical care for any condition related to your service in Iraq or Afghanistan for 10 years after discharge. You can also apply for increased pension pay if you are a veteran or surviving spouse with disabilities. Other benefits available include life insurance, burial benefits, and education benefits.
If you are not enrolled in VA benefits or other veterans' health coverage, you can obtain coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace®. Depending on your household size and income, you may be eligible for lower costs on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses on private insurance. You may even qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Another option for military medical insurance is TRICARE, the U.S. military's health care program. TRICARE offers various coverage plans, including TRICARE Prime, a managed service healthcare program for service members, reservists, dependents, and some retirees. TRICARE Select is a fee-for-service insurance plan available to family members, veterans, and retirees, allowing them to see any doctor. TRICARE also provides insurance programs for Reserve and Guard members and their families, as well as dental programs. TRICARE for Life is supplemental health coverage for retirees and their spouses over the age of 65 who are enrolled in Medicare Part B.
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Service Members' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is a form of low-cost term coverage offered to eligible active-duty service members. If you meet the criteria, you will be automatically signed up for SGLI.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for full-time SGLI coverage if you meet at least one of the following requirements:
- You are an active-duty member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.
- You are a commissioned member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS).
- You are a cadet or midshipman of a U.S. military academy.
- You are a member, cadet, or midshipman of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) engaged in authorized training and practice cruises.
- You are a member of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, assigned to a unit, and are scheduled to perform at least 12 periods of inactive training per year.
Part-time Coverage
If you are a Reserve member who does not qualify for full-time coverage, you may still be eligible for part-time SGLI coverage. If you qualify, you will be automatically signed up through your service branch. Check with your unit's personnel office for more information.
Choosing Coverage and Beneficiaries
With SGLI, you can choose your level of coverage or even refuse coverage completely. You can also choose your beneficiaries, or the people you pick to receive the money from your life insurance policy if you pass away, and you can change them as needed. Submit your changes online through the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES).
Additional Benefits
SGLI also offers additional benefits, such as the option to request an advance insurance payment if a service member is terminally ill. To do so, file a Claim for Accelerated Benefits (SGLV 8284). If a service member has passed away, a beneficiary can file a Claim for Death Benefits (SGLV 8283) to receive an insurance payment.
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Military treatment facilities
Military hospitals and clinics, also known as military treatment facilities (MTFs), are located at military bases and posts worldwide. The Military Health System (MHS) employs over 144,217 people in 51 hospitals, 424 clinics, 248 dental clinics, and 251 veterinary facilities globally, including in contingency and combat-theater operations.
MTFs are part of the Military Health System of the United States Department of Defense. An example of an FMTF is the Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas. Under the TRICARE program, the United States is divided into 12 healthcare regions, each with an administrative organisation, or "lead agent", coordinating the healthcare needs of MTFs in their region. TRICARE has been restructured several times and, as of 2010, approximately 1.3 million of 12.5 million nonelderly veterans in the US did not have health insurance coverage or access to Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare.
TRICARE-authorised providers include private-sector healthcare providers, hospitals, and pharmacies. Under most current TRICARE plans, except Prime, the health benefit is not considered "insurance" and does not cover women's contraceptives at 100% with no cost-sharing, deductibles, or co-payments. However, the Military Health System, the Defense Health Agency, and TRICARE all advertise that they meet the "minimum essential coverage" standard for all military service members.
Veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving are eligible for VA healthcare. This includes veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11. Veterans who served in the active military, naval, or air service and did not receive a dishonourable discharge are also eligible, provided they have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are a veteran, you can check your eligibility for VA health care benefits on the VA website. You may be eligible if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge. You must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty.
If you are currently serving in the military, you will have access to TRICARE, the military health care program. TRICARE offers comprehensive coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as life insurance and pharmacy prescription options.
TRICARE offers several services for beneficiaries with special needs, including applied behavior analysis, cancer clinical trials, durable medical equipment, home health care, hospice care, mental health care, and skilled nursing facility care. TRICARE also covers the cost of renting or purchasing equipment to improve the quality of life for those with special needs.
If you need extra assistance or are unsure of which services you or a family member may qualify for, you can reach out to Military OneSource for clarity and context.
