Serving Veterans and Government Employees Since 1965
GEA is here to help answer our most frequently asked questions about TRICARE Supplement Insurance, from specific services to cost and everything in between.
Understanding the TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan
Q: What is the TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan, and how does it work?
A: The TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan helps cover out-of-pocket expenses that TRICARE does not cover, such as copayments, deductibles, and cost-shares. This plan works alongside your existing TRICARE plan to reduce your total healthcare expenses and provide more complete financial protection.
Q: Who is eligible for this Supplement Insurance Plan?
A: The plan is available to TRICARE-eligible military retirees, reservists, and their dependents enrolled in TRICARE Prime, Select, Retired Reserve, or Reserve Select.
Q: Can the TRICARE and CHAMPVA Supplement Insurance Plans be used together?
A: No, TRICARE Supplement and CHAMPVA Supplement plans cannot be combined, because each is designed to work only with its respective primary coverage.
Prescription Coverage
Q: What drugs does the TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan cover? Does it include drugs like Ozempic or anxiety medications?
A: A TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan only helps cover costs for prescriptions already covered by TRICARE, including many FDA-approved medications such as diabetes or anxiety treatments. TRICARE covers most FDA-approved medications, including drugs like Ozempic for diabetes and certain anxiety medications. If TRICARE does not cover a prescription, the TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan will not cover it either.
Coverage for Specific Services
Q: Does TRICARE or the TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan cover hearing aids?
A: No, hearing aids are generally not covered by TRICARE for retirees, and the supplement only applies to services TRICARE covers. However, medically necessary hearing exams may be covered. retirees or their families, but it does cover diagnostic hearing exams if deemed medically necessary. Active-duty service members may have some coverage through specific programs. The TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan only helps with costs TRICARE covers, so it would not apply to non-covered hearing aids.
Q: Does TRICARE or the TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan cover LASIK eye surgery?
A: No, TRICARE does not typically cover LASIK surgery as it is considered an elective procedure. The TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan will not cover LASIK if it is not a TRICARE-covered service. However, TRICARE may cover certain corrective surgeries for active-duty members if deemed medically necessary.
Q: Does TRICARE or the TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan cover dental care?
A: No, routine dental care is not included in TRICARE or the supplement plan. Separate dental insurance plans like the TRICARE Dental Program are required for dental coverage.
Q: Does the TRICARE or the TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan cover preventative services like cancer screening?
A: Yes, TRICARE covers many preventive services, including certain cancer screenings for eligible individuals, and the supplement helps cover associated out-of-pocket costs when applicable.
As of December 2024, tests like the Galleri test are included in TRICARE’s Lab Diagnostic Test Demonstration Program for beneficiaries age 50 or older who are considered at elevated risk for cancer. These risk factors include things like military service-related exposures, a family history of cancer in two or more first-degree relatives, smoking or vaping history, HIV, or an organ transplant. Click here to read more about the Galleri® multi-cancer early detection blood test.
Filling Gaps in Coverage
Q: What gaps in coverage does the TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan fill?
A: A TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan covers cost-shares, deductibles, and certain excess charges, helping reduce the amount you pay out of pocket for covered medical services.
Q: Are dental and vision services covered by this Supplement Insurance Plan?
A: No, TRICARE Supplement plans do not include routine dental or vision coverage, but separate plans can be purchased to fill those gaps.
However, we do offer GEA Members Dental and Vision Insurance through our partnership with Guardian®. If interested, Life Insurance is also available for GEA Members. Click here for a quote!
Q: Does this Supplement Insurance Plan help with catastrophic caps?
A: Yes, this plan helps reduce out-of-pocket costs, ensuring you stay within the catastrophic cap limits set by TRICARE.
Costs and Enrollment
Q: How much does the TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan cost?
A: The cost of a TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan varies based on factors like age and plan type, but it is designed to reduce overall healthcare expenses by lowering out-of-pocket costs.
Q: How do I enroll in a TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan?
A: Enroll through GEA’s website or by contacting your benefits administrator. Visit this page for more information: TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan.
General Information
Q: What services does TRICARE cover?
A: TRICARE covers preventive care, hospital stays, outpatient care, mental health services, and prescription medications. Visit TRICARE Covered Services for more details.
Q: How can I contact TRICARE?
A: You can contact TRICARE using the following numbers:
If you’re not sure which region you’re in, visit TRICARE’s website for region maps.
Claims Processing
Q: How do I file a claim with the TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan?
A: After your primary plan (TRICARE) processes a claim, submit your TRICARE Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to SelmanCo. Reimbursement for eligible expenses will follow. Instructions for how to submit a claim can be found here.
Important Documents: All benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Policies underwritten by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company detail exclusions, limitations and terms under which the policies may be continued in force or discontinued. Read details for your type of supplement insurance plan: TRICARE Prime | TRICARE Select | TRICARE Active Duty
The TRICARE/CHAMPVA Supplement Insurance Plans are administered by SelmanCo. Underwritten by: Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. TRICARE Form Series includes GBD-3000, GBD-3100, or state equivalent. Policy Numbers: AGP-5925, AGP-5926. Not available in all states. The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s legal notice at www.thehartford.com.
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