If you’re in the reserves or National Guard, chances are you have another career outside of the service. You may already have an employer-based health insurance plan, but what if you lose your job or change employers? Perhaps your employer doesn’t offer an insurance plan. Luckily, you don’t need to look beyond the military to get great health insurance.
Tricare Reserve Select, a DoD Military Health System service, offers an excellent and affordable alternative to expensive health insurance in the civilian market. This guide will help determine if you’re eligible for Tricare Reserve Select and if the program suits your family.
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Do Reservists Get Tricare?
Yes, reservists are eligible for Tricare Reserve Select. Tricare Reserve Select is only available to the selected reserve and eligible family members.
You can’t enroll or stay in the plan if you’re on active duty orders, but that doesn’t mean you lose your Tricare coverage entirely. When activated for more than 30 days, you’ll automatically transition to Tricare Prime. Retiring Tricare Reserve Select beneficiaries under 60 are eligible for Tricare Retired Reserve, while those over 60 are eligible for Tricare for Life.
What is Tricare Reserve Select?
Tricare Reserve Select is a premium-based healthcare plan available to non-activated reservists, National Guard members, and their families. It’s similar to commercial health insurance in that it has copays, deductibles, and premiums.
Tricare Reserve Select offers much lower costs and more flexible coverage compared to other comprehensive health plans in the open marketplace. Unlike many health insurance plans, Tricare Reserve Select covers you even when you’re overseas.
One unique feature of Tricare Reserve Select is that you don’t have to see a primary care provider first or need a referral to receive specialized health care. You can receive care from in-network providers, authorized non-network providers and even military providers when available.
Another advantage is that, unlike other Tricare programs, Tricare Reserve Select members don’t have to wait for the Tricare open season to enroll or change their plan. This ensures that service members called to active duty can change their plan if they are no longer eligible for Tricare Reserve Select due to their duty status.
Am I Eligible for Tricare Reserve Select Coverage?
You and your family are eligible for Tricare Reserve Select if you are a non active duty member of one of the following:
- Army National Guard
- Army Reserve
- Naval Reserve
- Air National Guard
- Air Force Reserve
- Marine Corps Reserve
Aside from duty status, you are ineligible for Tricare Reserve Select if:
- You’re eligible for the Transitional Assistance Management Program (service members separating from the service).
- You’re concurrently a civilian employee and qualify for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
- You’re an Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) member, including Navy Volunteer Reserve Training Units (VTUs).
Retired reservists aren’t eligible for Tricare Reserve Select but may transition into Tricare Retired Reserve or other private options. Once retired reserve and National Guard members reach age 65, they will become eligible for the Tricare for Life program.
Tricare Reserve Select Costs
As a premium-based health plan, Tricare Reserve Select’s main costs are monthly premiums, an annual deductible, and cost shares for Tricare-covered services.
| Tricare Reserve Select Costs | |
| Premiums | Individual Plan: $51.95 per month Family Plan: $256.87 per month |
| Deductibles (based on pay grade and plan type) | E1-E4: $62 per individual and $125 per family E5 & above: $188 per individual and $377 per family |
Copayments usually range from $18 to $76 for covered in-network medical and pharmacy services, but some services can be as low as $0, such as newborn care. For out-of-network visits, you must pay 20% of the cost of care for most services. Visit Tricare’s website for a complete list of copayments and cost-shares.
How to Enroll for Tricare Reserve Select
First Time Enrollment
When eligible, you can purchase Tricare Reserve Select coverage any time during the year by phone or online through the milConnect portal. Enrolling yourself or your family in any Tricare plan requires an updated DEERS profile.
To get coverage, eligible service members must complete a reserve component health coverage request form. You must also make a premium payment to the appropriate Tricare regional contractor.
Re-Enrollment Following Activation
When activated, reservists and National Guard members become eligible for Tricare Prime and are no longer available for Tricare Reserve Select. Family members can choose between Tricare Prime, Prime Remote, and Tricare Select. To see which is best for you, check out our article comparing Tricare Prime vs. Tricare Select.
When you deactivate, you must re-enroll in Tricare Reserve Select. Otherwise, you and your family may experience a gap in health care coverage. To re-enroll, follow the same enrollment steps listed above.
To avoid coverage gaps when transitioning between active duty orders and non-active status, call Tricare to verify your enrollment before using your insurance.
Advantages and Disadvantages
With its low cost and worldwide accessibility, Tricare Reserve Select has clear advantages for many members of the selected reserves.
Pros
- Affordable Care: This plan is typically far cheaper than comparable health insurance offerings in the civilian marketplace.
- Referrals Not Required: While many health insurance options stipulate primary care provider referrals, you don’t need them to seek health care with Tricare Reserve Select.
- Freedom of Choice: Beneficiaries can choose from any Tricare-authorized provider. Selecting in-network providers will decrease out-of-pocket costs.
- Global Coverage: This plan is available to eligible beneficiaries worldwide. Additionally, beneficiaries can seek health care at military treatment facilities on a space-available basis.
Cons
- Activation and Deactivation Headaches: While some enrollment and disenrollment in different Tricare programs is automatic, reserve and guard members can face more difficulties due to their changes in duty status. Problems or delays with your orders can create coverage gaps, and you should be more hands-on with your insurance during transitions to ensure your coverage remains stable.
- Federal Employees: If you are concurrently a federal employee eligible for the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, you can’t get Tricare Reserve Select. Federal employees will be eligible for Tricare Reserve Select starting Jan. 1, 2030.
Summary: Tricare Reserve Select is a Flexible and Cheap Health Care Option
Tricare Reserve Select can save members of the selected reserves, guard and their families a ton of money and time compared to employer-based and marketplace health care plans. If your civilian employer isn’t offering better coverage for your situation, consider Tricare Reserve Select for health care coverage for you and your family.
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