Family Members of National Guard or Reserve Members
Typically, you are only covered by TRICARE when your National Guard and Reserve sponsor is activated (called or ordered to active duty for more than 30 consecutive days) under Federal orders.
However, when not activated, your sponsor may qualify to purchase TRICARE Reserve Select, a premium-based health care plan available to Selected Reserve members who are not eligible for the Federal Employee Health Benefits program.
When Sponsor is Activated
When your National Guard or Reserve sponsor is activated (called or ordered to active duty for more than 30 consecutive days), you become entitled to the same military benefits as active duty family members, including TRICARE, the military health plan.
Even though you are entitled to these benefits when your sponsor is activated, you must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to be eligible. Your sponsor must register you in DEERS. Once you're registered in DEERS, you'll receive your own uniformed services identification card and you can start using your TRICARE benefits.
What are TRICARE's health plan options?
Depending on where you live, your options will vary.
- TRICARE Prime: Available in the 50 United States in areas near military treatment facilities (MTFs) known as Prime Service Areas.
- TRICARE Prime Remote: Available in the 50 United States in designated locations away from MTFs.
- TRICARE Prime Overseas: Available in overseas locations, including U.S. Territories, near MTFs.
- TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas: Available in remote overseas locations.
- TRICARE Standard and Extra: Available in the 50 United States.
- TRICARE Standard Overseas: Available in all overseas locations.
- TRICARE For Life: Available worldwide when you are entitled to premium-free Medicare Part A and have Medicare Part B coverage.
- US Family Health Plan: Available in six geographic areas across the United States.
Some of these health plan options require you to enroll by submitting an enrollment application.
Does TRICARE offer dental coverage?
Yes. You may purchase dental insurance through the TRICARE Dental Program. It is separate from TRICARE's health benefit and requires a separate enrollment. You may already be using the TRICARE Dental Program.
If you're already enrolled, your coverage will not change when your sponsor is activated, but you will have reduced premium amounts while your sponsor is on active duty. If you're not already enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program, you may enroll now.
Does TRICARE cover prescriptions?
Yes, TRICARE offers a robust pharmacy benefit. You are eligible for prescription drug coverage when you are enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select, when your sponsor is on active duty orders and when you're covered under the Transitional Assistance Management Program.
What will I pay out-of-pocket?
Your health care costs are based on which health plan option you are using. If you enroll in one of the Prime options, you'll usually pay nothing out-of-pocket for covered health care services. With TRICARE Standard and Extra and TRICARE Standard Overseas, you'll responsible for an annual deductible and cost shares for covered services.
Are my children also covered?
Yes, biological, adopted and step-children are covered by TRICARE. >>Learn More
Did you know?
If your sponsor receives delayed-effective-date orders, then you may be eligible for TRICARE up to 90 days before his or her active duty period begins. Learn more...
Last Modified:March 6, 2012
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