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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.

 


National Guard and Reserve Members and Their Families


The phrase "National Guard and Reserve" refers to members of the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.  

Members of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) may purchase the TRICARE Dental Program, but usually do not qualify for any other TRICARE benefits when not on active duty orders or immediately following a period of activation. 

Your health and dental options are different depending on your current military status.

On Military Duty for 30 Days or Less
You may qualify to purchase TRICARE Reserve Select, a premium-based, voluntary health plan that provides comprehensive health coverage for you and your family. You also qualify for Line of Duty Care for any injury or illness sustained in the line of duty, including traveling to and from your place of duty.  

For dental care, you and your family can enroll in the TRICARE Dental Program. You will enroll separately and pay separate monthly premiums.

When Activated
When you're activated (called or ordered to active duty for more than 30 consecutive days under federal orders) you become eligible for the same health and dental benefits as active duty service members. You will enroll in one of the following Prime options when you arrive at your final duty station:

If you're enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program when called to active duty, you're coverage is automatically terminated. You're now covered by active duty dental benefits at military dental treatment facilities and through the TRICARE Active Duty Dental Program.

Your family becomes eligible for the same TRICARE benefits as active duty family members when you're on active duty. They can use any of the following plans depending on where they live when you're activated.

If your family is enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program, their coverage continues uninterrupted and their premiums are reduced to the "active duty family member" rates. If not already enrolled, they can enroll in the TRICARE Dental Program at any time.

Pre-Activation or "Early" Eligibility

  • If you are issued delayed-effective-date active duty orders for more than 30 days in support of a contingency operation, you may qualify up to 180 days early for active duty TRICARE benefits. >>Learn More
  • If you do not meet these "early eligibility" requirements, your coverage (and your family's coverage) will begin on the first day of your orders.

When Deactivated
When you leave active duty, or deactivate, your health plan options are different depending on if you were called to active duty in support of a contingency operation.

If you were activated in support of a contingency operation:

  • You are immediately covered by the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) for 180-days. TAMP coverage begins on the first day after your active duty service ends. Family members are also covered during the TAMP period. >>Learn More
  • After TAMP ends, you may qualify to purchase TRICARE Reserve Select for you and your family.
  • If you don't qualify for TRICARE Reserve Select, you can purchase the Continued Health Care Benefit Program.
  • You continue to be covered under active duty dental benefits during TAMP. After TAMP ends, your TRICARE Dental Program coverage will automatically resume (if previously enrolled) and you will begin to pay your monthly premiums again until you meet your 12-month minimum enrollment period.
  • If your family is enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program, their coverage continues uninterrupted, however their premium payments will revert back to their original rates.

If you were not activated in support of a contingency operation, you do not qualify for TAMP and your active duty benefits (including dental) end immediately. See the following scenarios for more examples:

Scenario 1:
Activated not in support of a contingency operation
  • You become eligible for active duty benefits on the first day of your orders
  • You leave active duty (deactivate)
  • You may purchase TRICARE Reserve Select, if you qualify.
  • If you don't qualify for TRICARE Reserve Select or decide not to purchase the plan, you may purchase the CHCBP.
Scenario 2:
Activated in support of a contingency operation
  • You become eligible for active duty benefits on the first day of your orders
  • You leave active duty (deactivate)
  • You are covered by TRICARE for an additional 180 days under TAMP
  • You lose eligibility for premium-free TRICARE on day 181.
  • You may purchase TRICARE Reserve Select, if you qualify.
  • If you don't qualify for TRICARE Reserve Select or decide not to purchase the plan, you may purchase the CHCBP.
Scenario 3:
Activated in support of a contingency operation with delayed-effective-date orders
  • You become eligible for active duty benefits up to 180 days before the first day of your orders
  • You leave active duty (deactivate)
  • You are covered by TRICARE for an additional 180 days under TAMP
  • You lose eligibility for premium-free TRICARE on day 181.
  • You may purchase TRICARE Reserve Select, if you qualify.
  • If you don't qualify for TRICARE Reserve Select or decide not to purchase the plan, you may purchase the CHCBP.


When you Retire
When you retire, you may qualify to purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve for you and your family. At age 60 (and when you begin receiving retired pay), you become eligible for the same benefits as all other retired service members. >>Learn More

For dental care, you may purchase the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program for you and your family.

For More Information



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