From Army Times, October 29, 2007, p. 34, and other sources.

     To be eligible for Tricare for Life, a person must be eligible for Tricare, be entitled to Medicare and enrolled in Medicare Part B, and be properly registered in the DEERS.

     For your wife to become eligible for Tricare for Life when you are, she will have to become entitled to Medicare. Your Medicare entitlement will not confer Medicare entitlement on her.

     Your transition from Tricare to Tricare for Life will have no effect on your wife's eligibility. She will continue to be covered by Tricare Standard or Tricare Prime until she becomes entitled to Medicare at age 65. Then she will become eligible for Tricare for Life, provided she is enrolled in Medicare Part B.

    When retirees become eligible for Tricare for Life, they lose Tricare Prime eligibility. If they are enrolled in Prime, it automatically converts to Tricare Standard, which is required for Tricare for Life for retirees.

     A Tricare Prime enrollment, if applicable, will be switched to Tricare Standard when you become eligible for Tricare for Life; a wife's enrollment will not be affected in Tricare Prime (until she is entitled to Medicare at age 65 and is enrolled in Medicare Part B)

     You should decide how your enrollment fee payments will be made: monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually, or annually. You can call Tricare Prime to discuss the choices and make an election.

      Don't forget: Tricare beneficiaries should check their DEERS records at least once a year. The Support office is 800-538-9552.

      For further information, see TRICARE General Information, or Tricare Q & A from TRADOC.