Contents
Overview
You are eligible for TRICARE if you are listed in DEERS (the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) as one of the following: an active duty service member, an activated Guard or Reserve member, a retired service member, a family member of any of the above, a survivor of a deceased service member, a Medal of Honor recipient, or certain former spouses. DEERS is the source of truth — if DEERS says you're eligible, you are; if not, you're not. The fastest way to check is to log in to milConnect at milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil.
📋 Who It's For
Active duty service members — automatically eligible the moment they enter service. Active duty family members — spouses, children, and certain dependent parents listed in DEERS. National Guard / Reserve — limited eligibility when not on orders (TRICARE Reserve Select for selected reserve, TRICARE Retired Reserve for retired reserve under 60); full eligibility when activated on Title 10 orders for more than 30 days. Retirees — service members who completed 20 years of service or were medically retired, plus their families. Survivors — surviving spouses (transitional survivors get full Prime benefits for 3 years; surviving children remain eligible until age 21 / 23 if a full-time student). Former spouses — must meet the 20/20/20 rule (20 years of marriage, 20 years of service, 20 years of overlap) for full lifetime eligibility, or 20/20/15 for one year of transitional coverage.
💰 Costs (2025)
There is no cost to check or maintain eligibility. Costs only begin once you enroll in a specific plan: TRICARE Prime has annual enrollment fees for retirees ($372/$744 Group A, $450/$900.96 Group B in 2025); TRICARE Select has an annual enrollment fee for Group B retirees ($579/$1,158.96 in 2025) and is free for Group A retirees and ADFMs; TRICARE Reserve Select and Retired Reserve are premium-based.
🩺 What's Covered
Eligibility itself doesn't cover anything — it's the gate to enroll in a TRICARE plan. Once enrolled, you get the full TRICARE benefit: preventive care, primary care, specialty care, hospitalization, mental health, maternity, and the separate pharmacy benefit. Active duty service members are automatically enrolled in TRICARE Prime; everyone else must actively choose a plan.
📝 How to Enroll or Use
Step 1 — Verify DEERS: Log in to milConnect (milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil) using your CAC, DS Logon, or My HealtheVet credentials. Confirm your status, dependents, and address are correct. Step 2 — Update if needed: Life events (marriage, birth, adoption, divorce, sponsor's retirement or death) require a DEERS update within 30–60 days. You can update online via milConnect, in person at a RAPIDS office (find one at idco.dmdc.osd.mil), or by phone (800-538-9552). Step 3 — Enroll in a plan: Once DEERS is correct, enroll in your chosen plan via milConnect or your regional contractor. Step 4 — Keep DEERS current. Update DEERS whenever your address, marriage, dependents, or contact info change. Stale DEERS = denied claims.
⚠️ Common Pitfalls
1. Assuming a marriage or birth automatically updates DEERS — it doesn't. You must report life events within 30–60 days. 2. Letting your address go stale after a PCS. Wrong address triggers undeliverable EOBs and lost referrals. 3. Adult children losing eligibility at 21. TRICARE for natural children ends at age 21 (or 23 for full-time students). Bridge with TRICARE Young Adult if needed. 4. Former spouses missing the 20/20/20 rule. Without 20 years of marriage overlapping 20 years of service, eligibility is limited or nonexistent. 5. Reservists assuming they have full TRICARE when not activated. Selected Reserve members must enroll in TRICARE Reserve Select (premium-based) for routine coverage when not on orders.
❓ Frequently Asked
How do I check if I'm in DEERS? Log in to milConnect at milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil. You'll see your eligibility status and listed dependents.
My family member isn't showing up — what do I do? Bring marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption papers to a RAPIDS ID office. You can find one at idco.dmdc.osd.mil.
Can my parents be on TRICARE? Generally no, with rare exceptions for parents/parents-in-law who meet specific dependency criteria.
What happens to my eligibility when I separate from active duty? It ends shortly after your separation date unless you retire. If you separate without retiring, look at the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) for 18–36 months of transitional coverage.
🔄 Recent Changes
Jan. 1, 2018: Group A / Group B distinction created based on initial entry date. 2018: TRICARE Standard and Extra merged into TRICARE Select. Jan. 1, 2025: TriWest Healthcare Alliance took over the West Region T-5 contract.
📚 Official Sources
- DEERS / milConnect: https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil
- TRICARE Eligibility: https://tricare.mil/Plans/Eligibility
- RAPIDS ID Card Office Locator: https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil
- DEERS phone support: 800-538-9552
Key Facts
- Category
- benefits
- Type
- topic
- Format
- coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DEERS?
The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System — a Department of Defense database of all active duty, retirees, and their families. Your DEERS record determines TRICARE eligibility.
How often should I check DEERS?
At least annually, and immediately after any life event (marriage, birth, adoption, divorce, retirement, move, or sponsor's death).
Are domestic partners eligible?
No. Only legally married spouses and qualifying dependents are eligible. Same-sex marriages are recognized.