Step C
Finding doctors after you leave the MTF
When you turn 65, your access to military treatment facilities for routine care is limited. Here is how to find civilian providers who accept Medicare and work seamlessly with Tricare for Life.
Three reliable ways to find a provider
Medicare.gov
Use the official Medicare physician finder to search by specialty and ZIP code.
care.medicare.govTricare Provider Directory
Confirm a provider participates with Tricare for Life so claims process automatically.
tricare.mil/findadoctorAsk your current doctor
If your MTF physician refers you out, ask for trusted Medicare-accepting colleagues nearby.
Personal referralTwo important questions to ask a new doctor's office
- 1."Do you accept Medicare assignment?" If yes, Medicare pays its share and TFL covers most of the rest.
- 2."Do you file with Tricare for Life as secondary?" Most Medicare providers can — claims usually crossover automatically.
Want a different option?
A Medicare Advantage plan handles the network for you.
Instead of finding individual Medicare doctors, an Advantage plan gives you an established network of providers — often with lower costs and added benefits. Many veterans pair this with TFL.
Learn about Medicare AdvantageNo-cost broker service
Speak with a licensed broker who specializes in veterans
Uncle Sam's Healthcare helps retired military find $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans. There is never a fee for this service.