18-year-old can’t be cut off from Tricare
September 2nd, 2010 | TriCare Help | Posted by Military Times
Q. My husband is in the Army. His daughter from a previous marriage will be 18 years old in November and he will not be financially supporting her after her 18th birthday. Can he unenroll her from DEERS and Tricare? Or, is he still required to provide insurance for her? She will be going to college, but my husband will not be supporting her financially.
The Tricare eligibility of children is established for the child by federal law from birth until the child marries or has his/her 21st birthday, whichever comes first. Before age 21, the child’s right to Tricare does not have residence or financial support requirements.
If the child is a full-time student at an accredited college, university, or trade school, his or her Tricare eligibility can be extended, during periods of full-time enrollment, until the child marries, graduates or reaches his or her 23rd birthday. There may be certain eligibility limits that are subject to financial support of the student.
Subject to the limits established by federal law, the right to Tricare flows directly to the child. It does not require the cooperation or the approval of the military sponsor. The right to Tricare is a benefit provided by law; it is not provided by the military sponsor. The sponsor cannot terminate or limit the child’s Tricare benefit.
For confirmation of the above, and for official answers to all questions regarding Tricare eligibility, please contact the DEERS Support Office, toll-free, at 1-800-538-9552.
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