Children turning 21 (East Region)

Did you know?

For most children with TRICARE coverage, once they turn 21, their TRICARE benefits may end. However, there are some exceptions to the age limit (see below). If a child loses eligibility at age 21, this is also a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event, which opens a 90-day period for you to make eligible enrollment changes. A QLE for one family member means all family members may make enrollment changes (see additional conditions below).

At age 21, your child may qualify for TRICARE Young Adult. TYA is an option for unmarried adult children providing comprehensive medical and pharmacy benefits, up to the child’s 26^th birthday without eligibility changes. How your child gets their care depends on the option: TYA-Prime or TYA-Select.

See the premiums for TYA.

If your child doesn't qualify to purchase TYA, they can purchase the Continued Health Care Benefit Program. The CHCBP provides temporary health coverage for 18 to 36 months when TRICARE eligibility is lost. It acts as a bridge between military health benefits and a new civilian health plan.

See the premiums for CHCBP.

Proof of eligibility termination

Do you need a loss of health care coverage letter because you're applying for commercial health insurance coverage? Contact your local Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator. They can issue you a letter if your future coverage end date is within the next six months.

Age limit exceptions

There are some age limit exceptions.

College students

Eligibility can be extended up to age 23 if:

• Your child isn’t married.
• Your child enrolls in a full course of study at an approved institution of higher learning.
• You (the sponsor) still provide more than half of their financial support.

The sponsor must visit a military ID card issuing facility to update the student status on their child's Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System(DEERS) A database of information on uniformed services members (sponsors), U.S.-sponsored foreign military, DoD and uniformed services civilians, other personnel as directed by the DoD, and their family members. You need to register in DEERS to get TRICARE. record. The school registrar’s office must provide proof of full-time. Learn more about updating your child’s student status in DEERS.

Eligibility ends on your child’s 23rd birthday or when they’re out of school, whichever occurs first. After eligibility ends, your child may qualify to purchase TYA. 

Marriage

If your child gets married, they're no longer TRICARE-eligible as your family member. But they may qualify to purchase the CHCBP.

Disability

If your child is severely disabled or incapacitated, they may be TRICARE eligible beyond the normal age limits (21 or 23).

To learn more, visit Eligibility for Children, or milConnect for FAQs about life events impacting your family's benefits.