FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Will you or a family member be eligible for Medicare soon? Are you nearing your 65th birthday? Do you already have TRICARE For Life, or will you be eligible soon? If so, join us Thursday, June 27, at 1 p.m. ET on TRICARE’s Facebook page for a live event to learn about TFL.

Follow TRICARE on Facebook so you can join live and ask TRICARE experts questions about TFL.

The experts will cover these details and more:

• When and how to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B
• How Medicare and TRICARE work together
• What happens if you sign up late for Medicare
• Where to go for help and more information

“TRICARE For Life is ‘wraparound’ coverage to Medicare,” explained Anne Breslin, TRICARE For Life program manager. “What does that mean? After Medicare pays its share, TFL kicks in and pays the remaining patient liability for TRICARE covered services. You have no out-of-pocket expenses when the care you receive is a benefit of both Medicare and TRICARE.”

While this is the most common scenario, Medicare and TRICARE benefits aren’t identical. When will you have out-of-pocket costs? When you receive care that is either not covered by Medicare, or not covered by TRICARE.

As described in the TRICARE For Life Handbook, TFL is the TRICARE health plan for TRICARE-eligible retirees and their TRICARE-eligible family members who have Medicare Part A and Part B. There are no enrollment forms or enrollment fees for TFL. The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System is regularly updated with Medicare entitlement data.

Most people become eligible for Medicare at age 65. It's important to understand your Medicare enrollment options to avoid any gaps in your health care coverage. Your first opportunity to sign up for Medicare is your Initial Enrollment Period. This period starts three or four months before the month you turn 65 (depending on your birthdate) and ends three months after the month you turn 65. If you don’t want a break in your TRICARE coverage, you must sign up for Medicare no later than two months before the month you turn 65.

Follow TRICARE on Facebook and tune in on June 27 at 1 p.m. ET to watch the event and to ask questions.

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