If you are a new parent, please remember there are two important steps you must take within 60 days from the date of birth or adoption to have continuous TRICARE Prime coverage for your newborn or newly adopted child.
Step 1: Register your child in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). A birth certificate or certificate of live birth from the hospital is required. Contact DEERS at 1-800-538-9552 or your nearest uniformed services personnel office for assistance. You must complete DEERS registration before you can enroll your child in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Prime Remote for Active Duty Family Members (TPRADFM). If your child is not registered in DEERS within one year (365 days) from his or her date of birth or adoption, DEERS will show “loss of eligibility.” Therefore, on day 366, your child will no longer be able to receive TRICARE benefits until he or she is registered in DEERS.
Step 2: Enroll your child in TRICARE Prime or TPRADFM if he or she is eligible. You will need to complete a TRICARE Prime Enrollment Application and PCM Change Form. Visit your local TRICARE Service Center for an enrollment application or enroll
online. On the 61st day, a child who is not enrolled in either TRICARE Prime or TPRADFM will automatically be covered by TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra.
For more information on enrolling newborns and newly adopted children in TRICARE Prime, visit the
TRICARE Web site.
