For someone receiving benefits through TRICARE, what happens if they don’t enroll in Medicare when eligible?

Individuals who are eligible for TRICARE and do not enroll in Medicare upon reaching eligibility will maintain their TRICARE benefits. TRICARE is designed to serve specific populations, including active duty service members and their families, retirees, and certain categories of eligible individuals. Medicare enrollment is not a requirement for retaining TRICARE benefits, especially for those who are still eligible based on their military status.

Since TRICARE acts as a supplement to Medicare for those who do enroll, retaining benefits without enrolling does not serve as a drawback to receiving TRICARE coverage. This means that even if someone decides not to enroll in Medicare, they will continue to have access to TRICARE services without experiencing a loss of benefits. It's crucial for beneficiaries to understand how their coverage works in conjunction with Medicare, but the choice to opt out of Medicare does not directly affect their TRICARE eligibility.