Note: This article first appeared in Transitioning Into Medicare and TRICARE For Life, a publication exclusive to MOAA Premium and Life members. Find more member-exclusive publications at this link, and check out member-exclusive discounts at this link.

Age 64 and 9 Months

Currently Receiving Social Security Benefits: 

• The Social Security Administration (SSA) automatically enrolls you in Medicare Parts A and B — Do NOT opt out of Medicare Part A or B.
• Do NOT enroll in Medicare Part D. See TRICARE pharmacy options at this link.
• Monthly Medicare Part B premium withheld from Social Security beginning at age 65.

Not Yet Collecting Social Security Benefits:

• Contact the SSA at (800) 772-1213 or SSA.gov to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B.
• Do NOT enroll in Medicare Part D. See TRICARE pharmacy options under “Using Medicare/TFL Benefits” below.
• Quarterly Medicare Part B premium billed.

Preparing to Use Medicare/TRICARE For Life Benefits:

• Upon receipt of your Medicare enrollment card: Contact the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System at (800) 538-9552 or your nearest uniformed services ID card facility, and notify them you are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and wish to use your TFL benefits.
• Your uniformed services ID card is your TFL identification card.
• If using a TRICARE supplement, notify the carrier to terminate coverage at age 65.
• If you haven’t done so already, consider long-term care insurance.
• Quarterly Medicare Part B premium is billed until receipt of Social Security; then monthly Medicare Part B premium is withheld from Social Security.
• Your spouse ages into Medicare/TFL upon reaching age 65 following the same process.

Age 65 and Older

Employer-Sponsored Health Care Plan Coverage: 

• You can opt out/delay Medicare without penalty if covered by an employer health care plan. However: TRICARE eligibility is lost until you enroll in Medicare; direct care at a military treatment facility (MTF) still might be available — but it is not guaranteed. Also, Upon termination of your employer-sponsored health care plan through loss of coverage or end of employment, you have an eight-month special enrollment period to enroll in Medicare. However, your TFL remains suspended until you enroll in Medicare.
• Contact the SSA at (800) 772-1213 or SSA.gov to enroll in Medicare.

Using Medicare/TFL Benefits:

• Your uniformed services ID card is your TFL identification card.
• After receiving your Medicare insurance card, you should update your uniformed services ID card. Ask the ID card clerk to confirm TFL enrollment.
• Select a health care provider based on which ones accept Medicare; TFL as final payer is invisible to providers.
• Medical claims cross automatically from Medicare to TFL, unless you have other health insurance.
• Direct care at an MTF, called TRICARE Plus, might be available — but it is not guaranteed.
• TRICARE pharmacy options are identical before and after age 65.
• Beneficiaries must enroll in the TRICARE mail-order pharmacy for their maintenance medications.