The Outlook for TRICARE Fees in 2019

The Outlook for TRICARE Fees in 2019
Senior Airman Stephanie Rubi/Air Force

This week, MOAA got a glimpse at what beneficiaries might expect from next year's out-of-pocket TRICARE costs. This is important information as you prepare for open season enrollment, coming up Nov. 12 through Dec. 10, 2018.

The good news is, the majority of existing TRICARE Prime and Select fees will not go up; the very few that do will be adjusted based on the retiree COLA (projected to be 2.8 percent as of August 2018). TRICARE for Life is not at all affected.

[Related: Open Season for New TRICARE Dental Coverage Is Around the Corner]

The not-so-good news is, the current fee structure largely will remain in place. For example, TRICARE group A retirees will continue to pay $41 for specialty appointments and $29 for primary care appointments. These rates will be formally established in October.

Most beneficiaries will recall the TRICARE fee structure changed Jan. 1, 2018, to require much higher cost shares. MOAA will maintain pressure on the Defense Health Agency to recognize the impact these fee increases have had on beneficiaries - especially those who require specialty care such as physical therapy or mental health care.

Other TRICARE 2019 Rates have been released and are effective Jan. 1, 2019, with the exception of the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP), which starts Oct. 1, 2018:

TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) Monthly Premiums:
TYA Prime: $358 (was $324)
TYA Select: $214 (was $225)

TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Monthly Premiums:
TRS member-Only: $42.83 (was $46.09)
TRS member and family: $218 (was $221.38)

TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) Monthly Premiums:
TRR member-only: $451.51 (was $431.35)
TRR member and family: $1,083.40 (was $1,038.31)

CHCBP Quarterly Premiums:
Individual coverage: $1,453 (was $1,425)
Family coverage: $3,273 (was $3,210)