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Make Sure the Newest Member of Your Family Is Covered
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When a new member of your family has arrived, it is important that you take the necessary steps to ensure continuous TRICARE health care coverage. Your child must be registered in DEERS and you will need to enroll your child in a TRICARE Prime option if you want to have continuous TRICARE Prime coverage.
Register in DEERS
A newborn, newly adopted or pre-adoptive child should be registered in DEERS as soon as possible. The sponsor must:
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Take a copy of the child’s birth certificate, certificate of live birth you received at the hospital, or adoption papers to the nearest military base or post personnel office. If you do not have an official birth certificate, you can use a certificate of live birth provided by the hospital. For a child born overseas, use the Consular Report of Birth (FS 240).
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Fill out an Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card DEERS Enrollment (DD Form 1172) signed by the sponsor and a verifying official from a uniformed services identification card-issuing facility.
If the sponsor is absent, the other parent or guardian must show power of attorney.
Enroll in TRICARE Prime
Children are automatically covered by TRICARE Prime for their first 60 days (120 days if overseas) if at least one family member is enrolled in a TRICARE Prime option.
To ensure continuous TRICARE Prime coverage, you’ll need to enroll the child in a TRICARE Prime option by filling out the appropriate enrollment form and following the submission guidelines on the form. Forms may be found at TRICARE's Web site. The enrollment form must be submitted within 60 days of birth, adoption or placement (120 days if overseas). If the child is not enrolled, coverage automatically converts to TRICARE Standard on day 61 (or day 121 if overseas).
Don't Lose Eligibility
Eligibility for TRICARE Standard ends one year (365 days) after birth, adoption or placement for a child not properly registered in DEERS. On day 366, your child will no longer be able to receive TRICARE benefits until properly registered.
For more information about TRICARE eligibility, visit the TRICARE Web site.
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