When was TRICARE for Life made available?

TRICARE for Life was made available on October 1, 2001, and is a health care program for Medicare-eligible uniformed services retirees, their spouses, and survivors. This program provides access to TRICARE benefits as a supplemental coverage to Medicare, ensuring that beneficiaries receive comprehensive health care coverage once they reach the age of eligibility for Medicare.

The introduction of TRICARE for Life represented a significant enhancement in the health care options available to military retirees, allowing them to have more seamless access to medical care while drawing on their Medicare benefits. This date marked a pivotal moment in military health care policy, fundamentally changing the landscape for retirees who previously faced challenges with health care coverage after transitioning to Medicare.

Other dates listed, such as January 1, 2000, July 4, 2002, and April 15, 1999, do not correspond with the official rollout of TRICARE for Life and are not associated with any major changes in related health policies for military retirees during that timeframe. Understanding the correct date helps in recognizing the timeline of health care benefits available to military personnel and the evolution of TRICARE as a vital resource for service members and their families.