Here are a few TRICARE tips to help you with military life!

I have TRICARE and Medicare. Can I see a doctor or supplier who doesn’t provide services through Medicare?

Yes, but you’ll pay more. If you sign a private contract with an opt-out doctor or supplier:

• Medicare won’t pay for services you get from this doctor or supplier, even if Medicare covers the service;
• TRICARE processes the claim and only pays the amount it would have paid if Medicare processed the claim (20% of the TRICARE-allowable chargeThe maximum amount TRICARE pays for each procedure or service.  This is tied by law to Medicare’s allowable charges.); and
• You’re responsible for the rest of the TRICARE-allowable charge.

To learn more, visit Does your provider accept Medicare as full payment page. To find a doctor or supplier who accepts Medicare, visit Medicare’s Find a doctor/supplier page.

Note: In areas where there is limited access to medical care, TRICARE may waive the second-payer status and process the claim as the primary payer. 

Does TRICARE cover hearing exams?

Yes but coverage depends on your beneficiary status, your TRICARE plan, age and the provider you use. You may also qualify for a hearing exam if you have certain medical conditions. To learn more, visit the Hearing Exams page. 

If you have TRICARE For Life coverage and live in the U.S. or a U.S. Territory, you must follow Medicare’s rules.

Does TRICARE cover cataract surgery?

Yes. TRICARE covers:

• Facility services, doctor services, and supplies needed to insert a standard monofocal intraocular lense (IOL); 
• Insertion of a standard monofocal IOL; and 
• One pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses after the surgery.

If you would like anything other than the standard monofocal IOL, you’ll be responsible for the difference in the charges. TRICARE won‘t pay for services that are specific to treatments, insertion, or adjustments related to the presbyopia or astigmatism-correcting functionality of the IOL.

Note: If you have TRICARE For Life coverage and live in the U.S. or a U.S. Territory, you must follow Medicare’s rules.