TRICARE for Life (TFL) started October 1, 2001. It provides expanded medical coverage for: Medicare-eligible retirees, including retired guard members and reservists; Medicare-eligible family members and widow/widowers; and certain former spouses if they were eligible for TRICARE before age 65. You must have Medicare Part B to be eligible for TFL.

If eligible, you get all Medicare-covered benefits under the Original Medicare Plan, plus all TFL-covered benefits. If you use a Medicare provider, Medicare will be the first payer for all Medicare-covered services, and TFL will be the second payer. TFL will pay all Medicare copayments and deductibles and cover most of the costs of certain care not covered by Medicare.

For more information on TFL call 1-866-773-0404. Call 1-800-538-9552 for other military retiree benefit questions. Go To TFL's website: www.tricare.osd.mil