New military retirees who have enrolled in the Tricare Prime program after Oct. 1 will begin paying higher annual fees, Defense Department officials announced Friday.
As of Saturday, individuals will now pay $260 per year, an increase of $30. Retirees with families will pay $520 per year, an increase of $60.
These new fees only apply to retirees who are new to Prime.
Annual fees for retirees enrolled in Tricare Prime prior to Oct. 1 will remain at $230 and $460 until Oct. 1, 2012.
According to Military Times, annual fees will be increased in fiscal year 2013 based on provisions in the fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill being considered by Congress.
Rep. Buck McKeon, (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has drafted a plan that allows the Pentagon to increase Tricare fees in increments to match the percentage rise in pay that retirees receive each year as a cost-of-living adjustment in their military retired pay.
Survivors of active duty deceased sponsors and medically retired services members and their dependents will be exempt from an annual increase, effective from the time they renew their enrollment or first enroll in Tricare Prime.
Active duty service members receive health care with no out-of-pocket costs.
