Children Turning 21

Event:

Qualifying Life Event?

Children Turning 21 

Yes.

You have 90 days after your child turns 21 to make changes to your TRICARE health plan (additional conditions below). 

TRICARE eligibility for biological and adopted children ends at age 21.

At age 21, your child may qualify for TRICARE Young Adult.

There are premiums for TYA.

If your child doesn't qualify to purchase TYA, they can purchase the Continued Health Care Benefit Program.

Learn more:

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 as long as your future coverage end date is within the next six months.

Age Limit Exceptions

There are some exceptions to the age limit.

Full-Time Student

Your child can get TRICARE until their 23rd birthday or graduation (whichever is first) if your child:

  • Is enrolled full time at an approved college
  • Isn't married
  • Depends on the sponsor for at least 50% of their financial support

Contact an ID card office to see what documents you need to extend benefits for your child beyond their 21st birthday.

After eligibility ends, they may qualify to purchase TRICARE Young Adult. If your child doesn’t purchase TYA, they can purchase the CHCBP.

Marriage

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

Disability

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

Learn more about other TRICARE Qualifying Life Events

Retiring Separating
Having a Baby Getting Married
Moving Getting Divorced
Becoming Medicare Eligible Going to College
Losing or Gaining Other Health Insurance Death in the Family
Moving When Deploying Injured on Active Duty
Activating Deactivating

 

Last Updated 7/18/2025