Tricare Vs. Medicare

Tricare and Medicare are two different federal health care programs. Tricare provides health care for active military member and their immediate families. Medicare is a health care program designed to provide benefits for those 65 and older or those with specific disabilities.

Tricare

• Tricare is available health care via the Department of Defense through which beneficiaries have three choices: Tricare Prime, military treatment facilities; Tricare Extra, preferred provided that normally saves money; and Tricare Standard, fee-for-service option.

Medicare

• Medicare is federal health care for those 65 and older or those with some disabilities. Medicare pays for a portion of the beneficiary's health care, but it does not pay for all expenses. There are Medigap policies available at the recipient's expense to pay what Medicare doesn't.

Significance

• There are close to 45 million Americans enrolled in Medicare as of 2008, according to State Health Facts. Tricare has roughly 9.4 million beneficiaries worldwide, as reported on the Tricare official site.

Considerations

• Tricare beneficiaries that turn 65 after April 2001 are required to enroll in Medicare Part B in order to have pharmacy benefits, reports Military.com.

Final Thoughts

• Tricare and Medicare are both complex health care systems but are necessary for those who receive treatment under these plans since these plans are usually the only insurance the patient has.