Do surviving family members keep TRICARE after a service member dies?

Surviving family members maintain TRICARE benefits:

Eligible Survivors • Widow/widower of service member • Unmarried children under 21 (23 if in college) • Children with disabilities • Certain unmarried former spouses

Coverage Continues If • Sponsor died while on active duty • Sponsor died after retiring with 20+ years • Sponsor was receiving retirement pay • Survivors registered in DEERS

Available Plans • TRICARE Prime (in Prime Service Areas) • TRICARE Select • TRICARE For Life (age 65+ with Medicare) • TRICARE Young Adult (ages 21-26)

Costs for Survivors

Active Duty Survivors • No enrollment fees • Minimal or no copays • Priority TRICARE status • 3 years of premium-free coverage

After 3 Years • May need to pay enrollment fees • Still eligible for coverage • Can choose Prime or Select

Retired Sponsor Survivors • Standard enrollment fees apply • Regular copays and cost-shares • Same benefits as retirees

Important Requirements • Remain unmarried (for widow/widower) • Keep DEERS updated • Maintain ID card • Remarriage ends eligibility

Children's Coverage • Continues until normal age limits • Same as other dependent children • Must remain unmarried • College enrollment extends to 23

Remarriage • Widow/widower loses TRICARE if remarries • Children's coverage unaffected • Can't regain if remarriage ends

TRICARE For Life • Available at 65 with Medicare • No remarriage restriction • Continues indefinitely

Special Support

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) • Provides monthly income • Helps cover insurance costs • Separate from TRICARE

Counseling Services • Mental health coverage • Grief counseling • Family support programs

How to Maintain Coverage • Report death to DEERS immediately • Update beneficiary information • Apply for survivor ID cards • Enroll in chosen TRICARE plan

Transitional Assistance • May qualify for additional benefits • Installation support services • Financial counseling available

Surviving families receive continued healthcare support. Contact DEERS and your regional contractor immediately after a service member's death to ensure uninterrupted coverage.