Are you getting a divorce or an annulment? The sponsor must update the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting  System (DEERS) with a certified copy of the divorce or annulment decree as soon as possible.

We won’t pay for services  or supplies provided to anyone who isn’t eligible for TRICARE.

If a former spouse loses eligibility in a divorce and  continues to get care, TRICARE can recoup those payments. Learn More about Recoupment of Overpayments 

Former Spouses 

Former spouse’s benefits will end at 12:01 a.m. on the day of the divorce or annulment, unless he or she meet certain  requirements. If these requirements are met, former spouses: 

• Remain eligible for TRICARE. 
• Will use their own name and health benefit number to get care and file claims. 
• They won’t use your name and number in DEERS. 

Remarrying? 

• If you’re eligible for TRICARE after your divorce, you will lose eligibility for TRICARE if you remarry.
• You will be eligible for TRICARE again if you marry another active duty or retired service member. 

Children 

• A sponsor’s biological and adopted children stay eligible for TRICARE until they age out. To be TRICARE eligible, your child must be a dependent. This means they aren’t married or serving on active  duty. 
• After your child ages out, they can choose to purchase TRICARE Young Adult until they turn 26.
•  A sponsor’s stepchildren who weren’t adopted by the sponsor will lose TRICARE eligibility.
•  Children living separate from the sponsor (with the former spouse or other guardian) can enroll in TRICARE  Prime using the split enrollment feature. 

Custody Scenarios 

• How and where your eligible child gets care depends on your custody agreement, the sponsor’s military status, and the sponsor’s location.
• Contact your regional contractor if you need help choosing a health plan for your child. 

Both Parents are Service Members 

• Your child can only have one sponsor.
• When both parents are service members, you must decide together which will be  the sponsor of your child’s benefits.
• If you can’t agree, visit an ID card office for help with how to decide. The ID card  office can also update your child’s records. 

One Parent is a Service Member and the Other Parent No Longer Has TRICARE 

• Your child should have their own ID card when in the care of a parent or guardian who doesn’t have TRICARE.
• Contact your local ID card office to get your child an ID card. 

Shared Custody in Different TRICARE Regions 

• If you share custody of your child and your former spouse lives in a different TRICARE region, you should decide  carefully which health plan your child will use. 
• If you share custody for more than 60 days at a time, TRICARE Select may be the best option.
• Your child can visit  any TRICARE-authorized, network or non-network, without a referral. 
• TRICARE Prime may not be available in both locations. If it is, you’ll need to transfer your child’s enrollment each time  they move between parent’s homes, or you’ll pay higher point-of-service fees.

*Visit DHA’s homepage for more information. You can catch up on past M:M blog posts HERE.