Are Disabled Veterans Eligible for TRICARE?

Are Disabled Veterans Eligible for TRICARE?

Simply being a disabled veteran doesn’t necessarily qualify you for TRICARE. However, some veterans receiving VA disability may be eligible, and receiving veterans disability benefits won’t disqualify you. You can choose whether to apply for or retain your coverage alongside your veterans benefits. Generally, the VA advises veterans to keep their coverage.

UPDATED as of November 2025: According to the Defense Health Agency, over 9.6 million beneficiaries are enrolled in TRICARE worldwide, including approximately 2 million retired service members and their families.

When Does a Disabled Veteran Qualify for TRICARE? 

TRICARE provides medical coverage to active service members of the military and their dependents, as well as some reservists and veterans. Unlike VA medical benefits or other disability-related benefits like Medicare for those receiving SSDI, this is not a fixed plan. Instead, there are a variety of plans to choose from. 

Veterans generally qualify in one of three ways:

• They are retired military, which means typically having served at least 20 years on active duty,
• They are a Medal of Honor recipients, or
• They are medically retired–on the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL) or Permanent Disability Retirement List (PDRL)

Veterans who left military service before reaching 20 years of service and are not on the TDRL or PDRL are generally not eligible unless they are Medal of Honor recipients. 

UPDATED as of November 2025: Medical retirement occurs when a service member has a disability rating of 30% or higher from the military (note: this is different from VA disability ratings). The military determines medical retirement eligibility through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES).

How Does TRICARE Work? 

Exactly what you can expect from TRICARE depends on a variety of factors.  For example, they offer several different plans, but not every participant is eligible for every plan. Coverage, whether you have co-pays and how much those co-pays are, and other aspects vary depending on your status and the plan you choose. 

In addition, some plans allow you much greater flexibility to choose your doctors and medical facilities and take charge of your own care. 

The main TRICARE plan options include:

• Prime: A managed care option with lower out-of-pocket costs but requires using network providers
• Select: A self-managed plan offering more provider flexibility with higher costs
• For Life: Supplemental coverage for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries
• Reserve Select: For qualified Selected Reserve members
• Retired Reserve: For qualified Retired Reserve members under age 60

Average annual enrollment fees for TRICARE Select range from $0 for active duty family members to approximately $700+ for retirees and their families, depending on family size and retirement status.

TRICARE with Veterans Disability Benefits

TRICARE is especially useful for disabled veterans who have a disability rating of less than 50% since the medical care they receive from the VA is more limited. But, there are good reasons to keep your coverage even if you are rated 50% or higher. The flexibility in choosing providers mentioned above is one reason. Another is that family members who would not be covered by veterans benefits will often qualify for TRICARE coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions About TRICARE for Disabled Veterans

Can I have both TRICARE and VA health care benefits? Yes, you can be enrolled in both programs simultaneously. Many veterans maintain both coverages to maximize their healthcare options and ensure family members have access to care.

Does my VA disability rating affect my TRICARE eligibility? Your VA disability rating and military disability rating are separate. TRICARE eligibility is based on your military retirement status, not your VA disability rating. However, veterans with a military disability rating of 30% or higher may qualify for medical retirement and TRICARE.

Are my family members covered under TRICARE? Yes, if you’re TRICARE-eligible, your eligible family members (spouse and unmarried children under 21, or under 23 if in college) typically qualify for coverage as well.

Can I lose my TRICARE eligibility? TRICARE eligibility generally continues for life if you meet the retirement criteria (20+ years of service or medical retirement). However, you must maintain enrollment by paying required premiums and following program rules.

At Veterans Help Group, we help veterans and surviving family members navigate the often-complicated processes of securing veterans disability benefits. To learn more about how we can help, contact us here or call (855) 855-8992 right now.

We have successfully helped thousands of veterans secure their entitled benefits, with a team of experienced advocates who understand both VA disability claims and military healthcare benefits like TRICARE.

Disabled Veteran Resources:

• Veteran Social Security Disability Qualification Questionnaire
• Most Commonly Approved VA Disability Claims
• Veterans Disability Benefits Calculator
• FREE Downloadable VA Disability Benefit Guidebooks