What type of Medicare coverage is necessary for TRICARE for Life to be effective?

TRICARE for Life serves as a supplemental health coverage for individuals who are eligible for both TRICARE and Medicare. For TRICARE for Life to be effective, beneficiaries must be enrolled in both Part A and Part B of Medicare. Part A generally covers hospital insurance, while Part B covers outpatient services, physician visits, and preventive care.

Having both parts is crucial because TRICARE for Life relies on the Medicare coverage to coordinate benefits and provide comprehensive health care. If a beneficiary were to have only one part of Medicare, they might not access the full range of services needed, leading to potential gaps in coverage that TRICARE cannot supplement.

The other choices reflect incomplete coverage scenarios. Part A only would not provide the necessary outpatient coverage that Part B does, while having Part C, which includes Medicare Advantage plans, does not equate to having both original Medicare parts required for TRICARE for Life. Without both Part A and Part B, the coordination of benefits necessary for TRICARE for Life to operate effectively would not exist, emphasizing the importance of enrolling in both for full coverage.