Are stepchildren eligible for TRICARE?

Direct answer: Yes, until age 21 (or 23 if a full-time college student) — but only as long as the stepchild's parent stays married to the sponsor.

Applies to: All TRICARE plans · All regions

Details

If the marriage ends in divorce, the stepchild’s TRICARE eligibility ends on the date the divorce is final — with one key exception: if the sponsor legally adopts the stepchild, that child stays covered as an adopted child even after a divorce. For college-aged stepchildren, the same full-time-enrollment and majority-financial-support rules apply as for biological or adopted children.

What to do next

Confirm this with your Primary Care Manager or regional contractor before scheduling — rules can vary by region and by service.