Can a parent become a secondary dependent for TRICARE?

Direct answer: A parent or parent-in-law can be a secondary dependent only when the official financial-support and relationship rules are met and DEERS is updated. This page does not decide that status.

Applies to: All TRICARE plans · All regions

Details

Secondary dependency is an eligibility decision, not a form you finish on this site. Start with TRICARE eligibility and update DEERS only after the personnel office confirms the dependency.

What to do next

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