TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) is a premium-based health plan that qualified National Guard and Reserve members may purchase. TRS coverage is similar to TRICARE Standard and Extra. For a one-page overview of the TRS plan, download the 2009 TRS Fact Sheet.
TRS is available to all members of the Selected Reserve except for those eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program (as defined in Chapter 89 of Title 5 U.S.C). If you are eligible for or currently covered under FEHB you are excluded from purchasing the TRS plan.
Once you qualify, you may purchase the plan at any time throughout the year. Qualifying for and purchasing TRS is a 2-step process:
- Log on to the Guard and Reserve Web Portal.
- Click on the "TRICARE Reserve Select" box.
- Select the type of coverage that you want to purchase: TRS Member-Only or TRS Member-and-Family
- Certify that you are not eligible for or enrolled in the FEHB program
- Select when you want your coverage to begin
- Print and sign the TRS Request Form (DD Form 2896-1)
Mail or fax your completed TRS Request Form along with the first month's premium payment to TriWest Healthcare Alliance by the applicable deadline.
Mail with one month’s premium payment to:
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
PO Box 42048
Phoenix, AZ 85080-2048
If you fill out the electronic payment information on the DD Form 2896-1 (credit card or electronic funds transfer), fax the signed and
dated form to:
1-866-441-8843
Your coverage begins on the first day of the first or second month (whichever you select on the TRS Request Form) following the postmark of your TRS Request Form. For example, if your form is postmarked in July, you may choose for your coverage to begin on the first day of the next month, August, or on the first day of the second month, September.
TRS covered services are comparable to TRICARE Standard and Extra. You'll still be able to access a wide variety of services from any TRICARE-authorized provider network or non-network. Additionally, you'll be eligible for TRICARE's prescription drug coverage.
Monthly Premiums
Your monthly premium rate is determined by the type of coverage you purchase: TRS Member-Only or TRS Member-and-Family. TRS premiums
may be adjusted annually each January 1.
Effective January 1, 2009, TRS monthly premiums are decreasing and will be:
| Monthly Premium | |
| TRS Member-Only | $47.51 |
| TRS Member-and-Family | $180.17 |
Premiums can be paid by check, money order or cashier's check (payable to TriWest), or by Visa®/MasterCard® by using the Online Payment option. After the initial premium payment due with your DD Form 2896-1, TriWest will bill you each month. Failure to pay overdue amounts can result in termination of coverage.
Annual Outpatient Deductible
The annual outpatient deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before government cost-sharing begins. Your monthly premiums
do not apply to the annual deductible. Your annual deductible is:
| Sponsor’s Rank | Member-Only | Member-and-Family |
| E-4 and below | $50 | $100 |
| E-5 and above | $150 | $300 |
Health Care Costs
For the most updated cost information, please visit TRICARE at www.tricare.mil/costs. While military treatment facility (MTF) care is usually free of charge when available, there may be minimal charges applied for inpatient care. Please check with your local MTF for details.
Changes in Family Composition
You may change the type of TRS coverage, TRS Member-Only or TRS Member-and-Family, with a qualifying life event:
- Marriage
- Birth or adoption
- Placement of child in the legal custody of the member by order of the court
- Divorce or annulment
- Death of a spouse or family member
- Family member loses eligibility (e.g. child turns 21 or 23 if enrolled in college)
Sponsors must report all qualifying life events to a military personnel office and record the information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
To change the TRS coverage, login and download a new TRS Request Form from the Guard and Reserve Web Portal, complete the form, sign and submit it to TriWest (postmarked) within 60 days of the qualifying life event. The change in coverage is effective the date the qualifying life event occurred.
Changes to your TRS coverage that don't involve a change in family composition, (e.g., eligibility for other health coverage) can be made at anytime during your enrollment in TRS.
If a National Guard and Reserve member is covered by TRS on the day of his or her death, surviving family members may purchase or continue TRS coverage for an additional six months from the date of the member's death.
- If TRS Member-and-Family coverage is in effect at the time of death, DEERS will automatically convert the TRS Member-and-Family coverage to TRS survivor coverage.
- If TRS Member-Only coverage is in effect at the time of death, the coverage will terminate and survivors may purchase TRS survivor coverage within 60 days.
- Survivors are responsible for paying appropriate monthly premiums.
For assistance with TRS enrollment, premium billing and payments, accessing health services or covered benefits, National Guard or Reserve members may contact TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378).
Members may also subscribe to the TRICARE Management Activity e-mail update service at www.tricare.mil/tricaresubscriptions to have TRS-related information sent to their e-mail address as new information becomes available.
Other TRICARE Regions in the United States
TRS Program information at www.tricare.mil
