2022: Tricare Reserve Select Costs Less, Other Plans Increase

Tricare premiums will change for reservists, retired reserves, and some military family members in 2022. The Military Health System released an addendum to the Tricare Operations Manual outlining the health insurance premium changes on Sept. 14.

In an email to Military Wallet, Peter Graves, a spokesperson for the Military Health System, said Tricare Prime and Tricare Select rates for 2022 would not be published until October, after the cost-of-living allowance (COLA) rates are published by the federal government. 

Changes to monthly premiums announced in 2021 will take effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Here’s what we know now.

Reserve Select Members Will Save Money in 2022

Tricare Reserve Select is available to reserve members in two options, for the military member, or for the member and their family. Premiums for individual coverage decrease by 1% to $46.70 from $47.20. TRS for families will decrease 3.8%, to $229.99 from $238.99. It’s about a $6 per year savings for individuals and $108 per year for families. 

Retired Reserve Monthly Premiums Will Increase

Tricare Retired Reserve is for qualified retired members of a Reserve component who have not reached age 60, and their eligible family members. 

• Individuals enrolled in a Retired Reserve plan will pay about $209.88 extra per year as premiums increase 3.6% to $502.32 from $484.83. 
• Families will pay about $498.96 more per year in the plan, a 3.5% monthly increase to $1,206.59 from $1,165.01. 

Tricare Young Adult Premiums Will Increase, Prime Significantly

  Tricare Young Adult is for adults under age 26 who have aged out of dependent coverage, or no longer qualify under their parent’s Tricare coverage because their eligibility for that coverage ended or the military member died. Tricare Young Adult plans are available in two levels for individual coverage only: Tricare Young Adult Select and Tricare Young Adult Prime.

• Tricare Young Adult Select premiums will increase 3.5 % to $265 from $257 – about $96 more by the end of the year.
• Tricare Young Adult Prime members will pay $636 over the course of 2022, due to a 10.4% increase in monthly premiums to $512 from $459. 

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Continued Health Care Benefit Program Premiums Also Jump in 2022

The Continued Health Care Benefit Program is another option to continue health coverage for Tricare beneficiaries who have lost eligibility for other Tricare plans. It is available for individuals and families. For 2022, individuals will pay $660 more annually, as monthly premiums increase 3.4% to $1,654 from $1,599. Families will pay an extra $5,688 next year – that’s 11.7% – in monthly premiums, increasing to $4,079 from $3,605. 

Open Season is the Time to Decide

Premium changes for the next year are announced before Tricare’s Open Season begins. During Open Season, Nov. 8 to Dec.13, eligible beneficiaries can decide to stay in their current plan, enroll in a plan, or change plans. Open Season is the only time enrollments and changes are permitted without a qualifying life event. Outside Open Season, beneficiaries must have experienced a major life event that changes their plan eligibility, like a marriage, birth, adoption or retirement to enroll in or change between most plans.  Open enrollment is continuous for Tricare Young Adult plans.  Qualifying young adults can enroll anytime, regardless of major life events.

Tricare health plans cover about 9.6 million beneficiaries around the world. Coverage includes health plans, dental, prescription, and special plans for people with specific health conditions. Most Tricare plans meet the minimum essential coverage requirements for the Affordable Care Act. 

About Post Author

Christy Van Drunen

Christy Van Drunen is a contributing writer for Military Wallet. She is a veteran with over 19 years of service with experience in many unique military specialties, including readiness and training, combat medicine, administration and communications security and repair. A service member herself, Van Drunen is also a military spouse. She is a lover of cocktails, a philosophy student and an avid gym rat. She lives with her husband, two dogs and two cats in mid-Missouri.

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