I just turned 65 and I’m not eligible for free Medicare Part A; what do I need to do to keep my TRICARE coverage?
The Social Security Administration sends you a Notice of AwardAn official letter that states you’re either: eligible for free Part A and enrolled in Part B, eligible for free Part A and not enrolled in Part B, or only enrolled in Part B. 1, a Disapproved ClaimAn official letter that states you’re not eligible for Medicare Part A. 2, or both, after you apply for Medicare. Use the table below to find out what you need to do to keep your TRICARE coverage. If you don't sign up for Medicare Part B when you're first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
| You are | Your spouse (or divorced spouse) is | You must | If you're | To keep your TRICARE coverage, you must |
| Single / Never Married | N/A | N/A | N/A | Take your Notice of Award 1, Disapproved Claim 2, or both, to your local ID card office to update your DEERS record and to get a new ID card3. You continue to be eligible for TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select past your 65th birthday. |
| Married / Divorced | 62 years of age or older | Apply for Part A under your spouse’s (or divorced spouse's) Social Security Number (SSN). | Eligible for free Part A under your spouse's (or divorced spouse's) SSN, you’ll get a Notice of Award 1 from the Social Security Administration. | Sign up for Part B. Your record in DEERS automatically updates to show your Part A and Part B coverage. Your TRICARE For Life coverage starts the day you have both Part A and Part B. |
| Not eligible for free Part A under your spouse's (or divorced spouse's) SSN, you’ll get a Notice of Award 1, Disapproved Claim 2, or both, from the Social Security Administration. This notice is based on your spouse’s (or divorced spouse's) SSN. | Take the Notice of Award 1, Disapproved Claim 2, or both, received based on your and your spouse’s (or divorced spouse's) records to your local ID card office to update your DEERS record and to get a new ID card3. You continue to be eligible for TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select past your 65th birthday. | |||
| Under the age of 62 | N/A | N/A | Sign up for Part B. Take your Notice of Award 1, Disapproved Claim 2, or both, to your local ID card office to update your DEERS record and to get a new ID card3. You continue to be eligible for TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select past your 65th birthday. Note: 3 months before your spouse (or divorced spouse) turns 62, sign up for Part A under his or her SSN. |
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| Widow / Widower | N/A | Apply for Part A under your deceased spouse’s SSN. | Eligible for free Part A under your deceased spouse’s SSN, you’ll get a Notice of Award1 from the Social Security Administration | Sign up for Part B. Your record in DEERS automatically updates to show your Part A and Part B coverage. Your TRICARE For Life coverage starts the day you have both Part A and Part B. |
| Not eligible for free Part A under your deceased spouse's SSN, you’ll get a Notice of Award1, Disapproved Claim2, or both from the Social Security Administration. This notice is based on your deceased spouse’s SSN. | Take the Notices of Award 1, Disapproved Claim 2, or both, received based on your and your deceased spouse’s record to your local ID card office to update your DEERS record and to get a new ID card3. You continue to be eligible for TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select past your 65th birthday. |
1 A Notice of Award is an official letter that states you’re eligible for free Part A and enrolled in Part B, eligible for free Part A and not enrolled in Part B or only enrolled in Part B.
2 A Notice of Disapproved Claim is an official letter that states you’re not eligible for free Part A.
3 An ID card office won’t accept a "Report of Confidential Social Security Benefit Information" from the Social Security Administration.
Last Updated 7/10/2025