South Carolina • TRICARE for Life and Medicare

TRICARE for Life and Medicare in South Carolina

If you're a South Carolina military retiree with TRICARE, Medicare and TRICARE For Life work hand in hand. Knowing how they fit together helps you stay covered and avoid surprises. Veteran Savings Network can help you make sense of it.

★ Over 1,500 five-star reviews from veterans just like you

South Carolina veterans at a glance

South Carolina is home to many military retirees who rely on TRICARE. As Medicare age arrives, the two programs are designed to work together.

343,824veterans living in South Carolina
46county veterans affairs offices, one in every South Carolina county
2VA medical centers in South Carolina: Charleston and Columbia

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 Five-Year Estimates), South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Local veteran resources in South Carolina

These are independent community and government resources. They are listed for your convenience only. Veteran Savings Network is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.

South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs (SCDVA)

Statewide veteran benefits and the county veterans affairs office directory

(803) 734-0200

scdva.sc.gov

County Veterans Affairs Offices

Every South Carolina county has a county veterans affairs office that helps veterans and families with VA and state benefit claims.

Find your county office: scdva.sc.gov/county-resources

VA Facility Locator

Nearest VA Medical Center, CBOC or Vet Center

va.gov/find-locations

DAV, Department of South Carolina

Find your local DAV chapter

(803) 361-4043

davwebsites.dav.org/SC

The American Legion, Dept. of South Carolina

Find a local post

(803) 612-1171

southcarolinalegion.org

VFW, Department of South Carolina

Find a local VFW post

(803) 808-0317

vfwsc.org

South Carolina SHIP

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (I-CARE), South Carolina Department on Aging, unbiased Medicare counseling

1-800-868-9095

aging.sc.gov

How Veteran Savings Network helps with TRICARE for Life and Medicare

Per the Department of Defense, TRICARE For Life is Medicare-wraparound coverage if you're TRICARE-eligible and have Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare pays first, and TRICARE For Life pays second on covered services. Because TFL requires Medicare Part A and Part B, getting your Medicare timing right matters. Our licensed agents can help you understand how it fits together so you don't overpay or run into gaps.

  • Understand why TRICARE For Life needs Medicare Part A and Part B.
  • See how Medicare pays first and TFL pays second.
  • Get your enrollment timing right to avoid penalties and gaps.

"Helping you make your best Medicare decision today so you can have a better tomorrow."

TRICARE for Life and Medicare questions

Do I need Medicare Part B to keep TRICARE For Life?

Per the Department of Defense, TRICARE For Life is Medicare-wraparound coverage for those who are TRICARE-eligible and have Medicare Part A and Part B. In most cases you need both parts to use TFL.

Who pays first, Medicare or TRICARE For Life?

Per the Department of Defense, Medicare pays its portion first, then TRICARE For Life pays second on services both programs cover, which often means little to no out-of-pocket cost for covered care.

Is TRICARE For Life automatic?

Per the Department of Defense, TFL coverage is automatic once you have Medicare Part A and Part B and are TRICARE-eligible. It starts the first day both parts are in effect.

What does it cost to talk with a licensed agent?

You can book a call above or call (866) 380-0965. Veteran Savings Network is a licensed insurance agency and is not affiliated with the VA, Medicare, CMS, or any government agency.

Book a call with a licensed agent

Pick a time that works for you. No pressure, just a clear look at your options.

★ Over 1,500 five-star reviews from veterans just like you

Veteran Savings Network. For Veterans. By Veterans.

Prefer to call? Reach a licensed agent at (866) 380-0965.

Important: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.