With the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, TRICARE beneficiaries have had questions about how it will affect them. The ACA and TRICARE are very different, governed by two different pieces of legislation, so changes in one have no effect on the other. ACA is a law that was intended provide affordable health insurance options to everyone. TRICARE is not health insurance; it is a federal health care entitlement program only for eligible uniformed servicemembers including active duty and retired members. The ACA does affect civilian health insurance plans for most Americans, but does not apply to the TRICARE program. For more information about TRICARE, the ACA or minimum essential coverage, visit the TRICARE website.
For more on TRICARE benefits, visit the Military.com TRICARE section.
