What Military Health Care Is Really Worth (Tricare's Hidden Paycheck)
Tricare almost never shows up on your LES, but it's one of the largest pieces of military compensation. For a family, comparable civilian health coverage runs $15,000–$25,000 a year — money you'd have to earn, and be taxed on, in the civilian world.
What you actually pay
| Plan | Active-duty monthly premium | Typical costs |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare Prime (active duty) | $0 | $0 for the member; minimal/no copays for the family in-network |
| Tricare Select (active-duty family) | $0 | Small copays per visit; annual deductible |
| Tricare Dental (family) | ~$11–$38 | Low cost-share for most procedures |
Active-duty members and their families pay no monthly medical premium. Compare that to a civilian employee's average share of a family plan — often $6,000–$7,000/year in premiums alone, before deductibles that routinely top $3,000.
Putting a number on it
A fair estimate of the employer-equivalent value of active-duty family medical + dental coverage is $18,000–$25,000 per year. Because you don't pay for it and don't pay tax on it, matching it as a civilian could require $22,000–$33,000 of pre-tax salary. That's on top of your cash compensation (RMC).
It doesn't stop at separation
- Transitional care (TAMP) bridges you for 180 days after active duty in many cases.
- Retirees keep Tricare for life at modest cost — a benefit worth six figures over a retirement.
- VA care for service-connected conditions is separate and additional.
See your cash compensation — then add Tricare's value on top.
Calculate my pay →Frequently asked questions
How much is Tricare worth?
For an active-duty family, the employer-equivalent value of Tricare medical and dental coverage is roughly $18,000-$25,000 per year - and you pay no premium and no tax on it.
Do active-duty families pay for Tricare?
No monthly medical premium for active-duty members or their families on Tricare Prime/Select; dental is a small monthly cost.
Does Tricare continue after I leave?
Transitional coverage (TAMP) can bridge 180 days after active duty, and retirees keep Tricare at modest cost.