Retirees will pay more for their healthcare under the 2017 proposed Defense Department budget.
Under the plan, Tricare will be re-aligned into two plans that reward families for using military treatment facilities. Under both Tricare plans, active duty families who use military facilities will pay nothing.
Families who choose the plan that includes civilian doctors will pay between $20 and $250, depending on the type of doctor and service provided.
Retirees face additional fees. Annual enrollment fees may rise as much as $900 per family. Pharmacy prizes will double in many cases.
The Tricare re-alignment is the only major facet of the budget that touches military families. There are no changes to housing allowances or commissary benefits because Congress has already moved on those issues. Current legislation aims to change commissary prices based on region. The amount of Basic Allowance for Housing that troops will receive will decrease each year until the amount only covers 95 percent of troops' cost.
For a complete look at the new Tricare pricing structure, visit http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/02/09/budget-proposal-includes-major-retiree-tricare-fee-hikes.html