You must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and have a valid uniformed services identification (ID) card to use TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra. Sponsors (i.e., active duty and retired service members) are responsible for ensuring that their spouse’s and children’s eligibility is always reflected correctly in DEERS. Once you are registered in DEERS, you will receive a uniformed services ID card that you will present when you seek care.
Children under age 10 generally can use a parent’s or guardian’s ID card, but they must be registered in DEERS. At age 10, the sponsor must obtain an ID card for the child. Children under age 10 should have ID cards of their own when in custody of a parent or guardian who is not eligible for TRICARE benefits or who is not the custodial parent after a divorce. Your DEERS information is important. Be sure to keep your DEERS records up to date.
TRICARE beneficiaries who also are eligible for Medicare are considered “dual-eligible” and are covered under TRICARE For Life (TFL). Under TFL, TRICARE pays second after Medicare. When you are using TRICARE Standard or TRICARE Extra, these options will pay second after Medicare for services covered by both TRICARE and Medicare.
Retired service members, their family members, survivors, and others who are entitled to Medicare Part A coverage based on age, disability, or end-stage renal disease must have Medicare Part B coverage to remain eligible for TRICARE.
Active duty family members entitled to Medicare Part A are not required to have Medicare Part B coverage to remain eligible for TRICARE. However, when the active duty sponsor retires, the Medicare-eligible family members must have Part A and Part B to remain eligible for TRICARE.
For information about purchasing Medicare Part B, visit the Social Security Web site or call
1 (800) 772-1213. For more information about TFL, please contact Wisconsin Physicians Service at 1 (866) 773-0404 or visit the TRICARE for Life Web site.
