TFL vs. Medigap: why paying twice rarely makes sense
For almost every TRICARE for Life household, a Medigap policy is redundant: TFL already pays Medicare's deductibles and coinsurance like a Supplement would, includes drug coverage, covers overseas care, and costs nothing beyond Part B — while Medigap adds a monthly premium to duplicate most of it.
The short answer most agents won't lead with
TRICARE for Life already is the thing a Medigap policy sells: secondary coverage that absorbs Medicare's cost-sharing. Buying both means paying a premium — often $100–$300+ a month depending on plan, age, and state — for coverage that overlaps TFL almost completely. For the typical military retiree, that money buys very little.
Side by side
| TRICARE for Life | Medigap (e.g., Plan G) | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $0 beyond Part B | Varies — commonly $100–$300+, rising with age in most states |
| Pays Medicare's gaps | Yes — deductibles & coinsurance for dual-covered services | Yes — per the plan letter's schedule (Plan G leaves the $283 Part B deductible to you) |
| Drug coverage | Included (Express Scripts, creditable) | None — requires a separate Part D plan |
| Provider access | Any Medicare provider | Any Medicare provider |
| Annual out-of-pocket cap | $3,000/family (TRICARE-covered services) | Plan G has none needed; K/L have caps |
| Overseas care | Covered — TRICARE pays primary abroad | Limited: 80% of emergency care, $250 deductible, $50,000 lifetime max (plans with the benefit) |
| Covers TRICARE's gaps (services Medicare covers, TRICARE doesn't) | — | Yes — would pick up Medicare cost-sharing on, e.g., chiropractic |
The honest case for Medigap — narrow, but real
A Medigap policy covers Medicare's cost-sharing on services TRICARE doesn't cover — the matrix's second row, like chiropractic care — and it's insurance against ever losing TRICARE eligibility (rare for retirees, but divorce ends a former spouse's TRICARE in most cases, where Medigap eligibility would survive). If those scenarios loom large for you, run the math deliberately. For everyone else, the premium buys peace of mind TFL already delivers free.
Your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment — six months of guaranteed acceptance, no health questions — starts when Part B takes effect at 65+. TFL households who skip Medigap (correctly, usually) should just know that buying later can mean underwriting in most states. A deliberate "no" beats a default one.
If someone's quoting you a Medigap premium on top of TFL, get a second opinion first — a licensed agent can show exactly what that premium would and wouldn't add.
Get a Second OpinionOr compare plans yourself at PlanMatch.com, or contact Medicare.gov / 1-800-MEDICARE.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Medicare Supplement if I have TRICARE for Life?
Is TRICARE for Life technically a Medigap plan?
What does Medigap cover that TFL doesn't?
Can I buy Medigap later if I change my mind?
You earned these benefits. Make them work together.
Whether you keep exactly what you have or add Medicare coverage alongside it, the right answer depends on your health, budget, and how you like to get care.
No cost, no obligation. You can also get help from Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048), or your local SHIP office.