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Who's Eligible?


Eligibility for TRICARE is determined by the uniformed services and reported to the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).  All eligible beneficiaries must have their eligibility status recorded in DEERS.

TRICARE beneficiaries can be divided into two main categories: sponsors and family members.  Sponsors are usually active duty service members, National Guard/Reserve members or retired service members.  When we say "sponsor," we are referring to the person who is serving or who has served on active duty or in the National Guard or Reserves.

Select a Beneficiary Category
Learn more about health plan and dental options by selecting a beneficiary category from the drop down menu below.

 


Unremarried Former Spouses


This information is a summary of TRICARE eligibility requirements for unremarried former spouses; each situation may be unique. You need to verify your eligibility as recorded in the in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and contact the appropriate Service Personnel Component or the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office if you have eligibility questions or concerns.

Defense Manpower Data Center

Service Personnel Components

Army and Army Reserve   
Army National Guard 

1-888-276-9472
1-866-810-9183

Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard  

1-800-525-0102

Navy and Navy Reserve     

1-901-874-3462

Marine Corps     
Marine Corps Reserve 

1-703-784-9529
1-504-678-1299

Coast Guard (Fax)   

1-202-475-5927

NOAA (Fax)

1-301-713-4140

Public Health Service  

1-240-453-6038


If you are an unremarried former spouse, you may be eligible for TRICARE if your [former sponsor's] Service Personnel Component determines that you fit one of the following scenarios.  In both scenarios your sponsor must have at least 20 years of creditable service towards determining retirement pay.  You will need the following documentation to establish your eligibility as an unremarried former spouse: 

  • Marriage Certificate
  • Divorce Decree
  • DD Form 214 or Statement of Service from the applicable Service Personnel Component.

Scenario 1: The "20-20-20" Rule
You are eligible for TRICARE as your own sponsor under your own Social Security Number as long as you meet the following criteria:

20 - Your sponsor has at least 20 years of creditable service towards determining retirement pay.

20 - You were married to the same sponsor/service member for at least 20 years

20 - All 20 years of marriage overlap the 20 years of creditable (Active or Reserve) service which counted towards your sponsor's retirement.

If the Service Personnel Component determines that you meet the 20-20-20 eligibility criteria, you will be issued a new ID card with your own name and your Social Security number listed as the "sponsor Social Security number" the first time you renew your card after the divorce/annulment effective date.

Scenario 2: The "20-20-15" Rule
You will be listed under your Social Security Number as long as you meet the following criteria:

20 - Your sponsor has at least 20 years of creditable service towards determining retirement pay.

20 - You were married to the same sponsor/service member for at least 20 years

15 - 15 of those years overlap the 20 years of creditable (Active or Reserve) service which counted towards your sponsor's retirement.

If you fall into this scenario, your coverage was/is determined by the date your marriage ended.

Date of Divorce/ Annulment

Coverage

Before April 1, 1985

You're eligible for care received on or after January 1, 1985, or the date of the divorce/annulment, whichever is later.

Your eligibility continues as long as you meet eligibility requirements (also see below) 

April 1, 1985 through September 28, 1988

You were eligible for care received from the date of the divorce/annulment until December 31, 1988, or two years from the date of the decree, whichever was later.

On or after September 29, 1988

You're TRICARE eligible for one year from the date of the divorce/annulment.


You can lose your TRICARE eligibility under either scenario if you:

  1. Re-marry, even if the remarriage ends in death or divorce (unless you gain eligibility under your new spouse). 
  2. Purchase and are covered by an employer-sponsored health plan.
  3. Were the former spouse of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization or Partners for Peace nation member.

Health Plan Options
When you qualify for TRICARE, you're covered with the same benefits as a retired family member, and you have the following health plan options depending on where you live:

To learn more how TRICARE works for you, enter your profile selecting "retired family member" as your beneficiary category.

Contact

Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office
Toll-free: 1-800-538-9552
TTY/TTD: 1-866-363-2883
Fax: 1-831-655-8317

Update DEERS online with milConnect!

Related Web Sites

Find an ID Card Office


If you're not in DEERS, you're not eligible.

Be sure that all members of your family are registered in DEERS, and all information is kept current.

Last Modified:November 30, 2010