Navy TRICARE — Military Health Insurance Explained
TL;DR — Quick Answer
TRICARE is the military's health insurance program. Active-duty sailors receive TRICARE Prime at zero cost — no premiums, no copays, no deductibles. Family members are also covered. It is one of the most valuable and underappreciated benefits of military service.
What is TRICARE?
TRICARE is the Department of Defense's health care program serving active-duty members, retirees, and their families. For active-duty sailors, TRICARE Prime is automatic — you are enrolled the day you enter the military, and there is zero out-of-pocket cost for any covered medical service. This includes doctor visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, prescriptions, mental health care, maternity care, and preventive services. In the civilian world, comparable health insurance would cost a family $15,000-$25,000+ per year in premiums alone. TRICARE is effectively a hidden $15,000-$25,000 annual benefit on top of your pay.
TRICARE Prime vs Select
TRICARE Prime is the standard plan for active-duty members and is managed-care based — you are assigned a primary care manager (PCM) at a military treatment facility (MTF) or nearby civilian network provider. Referrals are required for specialists. There is no enrollment fee and no cost for any covered service. TRICARE Select is available to family members and retirees. It works more like a traditional PPO — you can see any TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral, but you pay cost-shares. Active-duty family members on Select pay minimal copays ($14-$28 for outpatient visits). Retirees pay annual enrollment fees and higher cost-shares.
Dental and vision coverage
Active-duty sailors receive free dental care at military dental clinics — routine cleanings, fillings, crowns, and oral surgery are all covered. For family members, the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) is available at a modest monthly premium (approximately $14/month for a single plan or $38/month for a family plan). It covers preventive, basic, and major dental services with an annual maximum. Vision coverage for active-duty members includes annual eye exams and corrective lenses (glasses or contacts). LASIK/PRK surgery may be available through military programs depending on your rating and operational requirements — many commands actively encourage it for deployable sailors.
Coverage for families
When you marry or have a child, you enroll your dependents in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System), and they become eligible for TRICARE. Your spouse and children can use TRICARE Prime (assigned a PCM at a military hospital or clinic) or TRICARE Select (more flexibility in choosing providers). All maternity care — prenatal visits, delivery, postpartum care — is fully covered under TRICARE Prime. TRICARE also covers well-child visits, immunizations, and pediatric care at no cost. For families concerned about healthcare costs, this benefit alone can be worth more than many civilian employers offer.
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