TRICARE Young Adult premiums to Increase

Press Operations

Release No: NR-411-15 October 28, 2015

The TRICARE Health Plan has announced the 2016 premiums for TRICARE Young Adult Prime and Standard options covering beneficiaries between 23 and 26 years old. These premiums are adjusted on an annual basis and go into effect Jan. 1, 2016.

For 2016, the monthly premium for TYA Prime is $306 per month, and TYA Standard is $228 per month. TRICARE is required to set these premiums to cover the full cost of health care received by TYA beneficiaries. For the first time since TYA was created in 2011, TRICARE has sufficient statistically valid cost data to set annual premiums.

TYA Prime or Standard are options for eligible young adult beneficiaries, who are encouraged to explore all of their health care choices and pick the plan best suited to their needs.

With premiums competitive to similar plans, TRICARE Young Adult is comparable to available platinum-level health care plans. Other health care options for young adult beneficiaries include:

* Purchasing TYA Standard - lower premiums, higher cost shares - instead of TYA Prime

* Enrolling in a parent's civilian health insurance plan, if available

* Purchasing a plan offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace at www.healthcare.gov

* Purchasing coverage through the college or university, if enrolled

Lower cost plans may be available depending on income and residence, and assistance paying premiums may be available. Beneficiaries may also qualify for Medicaid. Go to www.healthcare.gov to evaluate eligibility and options. Open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace begins Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2016.

Visit www.tricare.mil/TYA for more information.