How to get TRICARE for a newborn?

Getting TRICARE coverage for your newborn is a time-sensitive process that should be completed as soon as possible after birth. TRICARE covers your newborn from the moment of birth, but proper registration is required to ensure continuous coverage. Within the first 30 days after birth, register the newborn in DEERS by visiting a RAPIDS ID card office with a certified birth certificate (hospital birth certificate may be accepted initially), the baby's Social Security number (apply immediately through the Social Security Administration), and the sponsor's military ID. The birth of a child is a qualifying life event, giving you 90 days to enroll the newborn in your chosen TRICARE plan. If you have TRICARE Prime, contact your regional contractor to add the newborn to your plan and select a pediatrician as the child's PCM. Hospital and delivery costs are covered under the mother's TRICARE benefit, and the newborn's care during the initial hospitalization is also covered. Well-baby care, immunizations, and all standard pediatric services are covered once enrolled. If you miss the 30-day window for DEERS registration, retroactive coverage may be available but could require additional documentation. Do not delay registering your newborn to avoid gaps in coverage.