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When a sponsor dies, TRICARE coverage continues for eligible family members. Surviving spouses remain eligible for TRICARE as long as they do not remarry. If a surviving spouse remarries, he or she loses eligibility for TRICARE and cannot regain eligibility in the case of divorce or the death of the new spouse.
Surviving children remain eligible for TRICARE until they turn age 21 (or 23 if enrolled in college full time and the parent provides more than 50 percent of the child’s financial support). Note: Children with disabilities may be eligible for TRICARE beyond the normal age limits.
After the death of an active duty service member, all surviving family members continue to be treated as active duty family members for three years. During this three-year “transitional survivor” period, all family members receive the same benefits at the same costs as active duty family members.
Surviving family members may enroll in TRICARE Prime or TPRADFM at the time of the death of their sponsor, or any time thereafter. If they enroll in TRICARE Prime or TPRADFM, they pay nothing for covered benefits other than pharmacy services. If they do not enroll in TRICARE Prime or TPRADFM, they are covered by TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra, and active duty family member annual deductibles and cost-shares will apply.
After three years, surviving spouses remain eligible for TRICARE Prime, Standard, and Extra at retired family member rates. TRICARE Prime enrollment fees will apply for surviving spouses who choose to enroll in TRICARE Prime after the three-year transitional survivor period. Surviving children remain eligible for TRICARE (TRICARE Prime, TPRADFM, TRICARE Standard, and TRICARE Extra) for three years after the date of the member’s death or up to age 21, whichever is longer. This age limit extends to age 23 if the surviving children were, at the time of the member’s death, dependent upon the former member for more than 50 percent of their financial support or if they were pursuing a full-time course of education in a secondary school or an institution of higher education. Note: The effective date of this benefit is retroactive to October 7, 2001.
Upon the death of a sponsor, you will receive a letter from DEERS telling you about your program options and how your benefits will eventually change. Contact Humana Military if you have any questions.
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