There are several identification (ID) and enrollment cards providers should be familiar with in order to verify a patient’s eligibility for TRICARE. Providers should ensure patients have a valid uniformed services ID card, Common Access Card (CAC), or authorization letter of eligibility. Be sure to check the expiration date and make a copy of both sides of the ID card for your files. (See “Copying ID Cards”.)

Note: An ID card alone is not sufficient to prove eligibility. Providers should verify the actual eligibility of the card bearer by accessing the MyHMHS for Providers secure portal. When verifying eligibility, be sure to use the sponsor’s Social Security number (SSN). If you are verifying online, retain a printout of the eligibility verification screen for your files.

Beneficiaries can verify their eligibility in DEERS by calling 1-800-538-9552. Providers, however, may not verify TRICARE enrollment directly in DEERS because of the Privacy Act (Title 5, United States Code, Section 552a).
       

Uniformed Services ID Cards

Common Access Card

Most active duty service members (ADSMs) and drilling National Guard and Reserve members now carry the CAC. The CAC is replacing the uniformed services ID card discussed later in this section. Although CACs are valid uniformed services ID cards, they do not, on their own, prove TRICARE eligibility. The card bearer’s eligibility must be verified as described earlier in this section.
        

Uniformed Services ID Card

The Department of Defense (DoD), in conjunction with the seven uniformed services, began issuing the automated ID card in 1994.

The uniformed services ID card is credit-card sized and incorporates a digital photographic image of the bearer, barcodes containing pertinent machine-readable data, and printed identification and entitlement information. The beneficiary category determines the ID card’s color:

• Active duty family members (ADFMs): DD Form 1173 (tan)
• Family members of National Guard and Reserve members: DD Form 1173-1 (red) if eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) or when accompanied by a copy of the sponsor’s activation orders for more than 30 consecutive days
• Retirees: DD Form 2 RET (blue)
• Retiree family members: DD Form 1173 (tan)
• Eligible members of the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP): DD Form 2765 (tan)

These boxes on the ID card contain useful information for the provider and the beneficiary:

• SSN or Sponsor SSN—Providers should use the SSN when verifying the card bearer’s TRICARE eligibility.
  Note: The DoD has begun to remove SSNs from ID cards. Providers must verify the beneficiary’s eligibility by contacting Humana Military (as described earlier in this section).
• Expiration Date—Check the expiration date on the ID card in the box titled, “EXPIRATION DATE” (should read “INDEF” for retirees). If expired, the beneficiary will need to update his or her information in DEERS and get a new card.
• Civilian—Check the back of the ID card to verify eligibility for TRICARE civilian care. The center section should read “YES” under the box titled, “CIVILIAN.” If a beneficiary using TRICARE For Life (TFL) has an ID card that reads “NO” in this block, they are still eligible to use TFL if they have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B coverage.

Note: Eligibility may also be verified by a photo ID of the dependent when accompanied by a copy of the sponsor’s activation orders for more than 30 consecutive days.

Beneficiaries under the age of 10 are not routinely issued ID cards, so the parent’s proof of eligibility may serve as proof of eligibility for the child.

ID Cards for Family Members Age 75 and Over

All eligible family members and survivors of deceased uniformed services members who are age 75 and older will be issued a permanent ID card. Prior to September 2005, only retired uniformed services members were issued a permanent ID card.
       

Copying ID Cards

Military personnel and their family members may express concern about having their uniformed services ID cards photocopied, perhaps because they have always been instructed never to lose or allow someone to use their card. These instructions are designed to prevent identity theft and safeguard against security being compromised by someone impersonating U.S. military personnel. Although some TRICARE beneficiaries may believe that it is illegal to copy ID cards, it is in fact legal to copy them for authorized purposes.* The legitimate cardholder may allow his or her military or uniformed services ID card to be photocopied to facilitate medical care eligibility determination and documentation, check cashing, or the administration of other military-related benefits. Per DoD instruction, it is both allowable and advisable for providers to copy a beneficiary’s ID card to facilitate eligibility verification and for the purpose of rendering needed services. DoD recommends that providers copy both sides of the ID cards and retain copies for future reference.

* Title 18, United States Code, Section 701 prohibits photographing or possessing uniformed services ID cards in an unauthorized manner. Unauthorized use would exist only if the bearer uses the card in a manner that would enable him or her to obtain benefits, privileges, or access to which he or she is not entitled.

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