Tennessee • TRICARE for Life and Medicare

TRICARE for Life and Medicare in Tennessee

If you're a Tennessee 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.

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Tennessee veterans at a glance

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

399,814veterans living in Tennessee
93Tennessee counties with their own county veterans service office listed
4VA medical centers in Tennessee: Nashville, Murfreesboro, Memphis and Mountain Home, plus VA clinics statewide

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 Five-Year Estimates), Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, county governments, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Local veteran resources in Tennessee

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.

Tennessee Department of Veterans Services (TDVS)

Statewide veteran benefits, claims help and services

(615) 741-2345

tn.gov/veteran

County Veterans Service Offices

County veterans service officers across Tennessee help veterans and families with VA and state benefit claims.

Find your office: tn.gov/veteran county veterans services

VA Facility Locator

Nearest VA Medical Center, clinic or Vet Center

va.gov/find-locations

DAV, Department of Tennessee

Find your local DAV chapter

(931) 762-8256

davwebsites.dav.org/TN

The American Legion, Dept. of Tennessee

Find a local post

(615) 391-5088

tennesseelegion.org

VFW, Department of Tennessee

Find a local VFW post

(615) 242-5851

vfwtn.org

Tennessee SHIP

Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program, Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, unbiased Medicare counseling

1-877-801-0044

tn.gov/disability-and-aging

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.

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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.