Showing Your ID to Providers

When you check in at the doctor’s office, they will ask you for your uniformed service ID card (USID). The office will make a copy of your ID card. You may not have to show your ID card after the first time you show it, but you should always have it just in case.

If you get care at a military hospital or clinic, you will always need to show your ID card first.

Department of Defense (DoD) Benefits Number

The DoD Benefits Number (DBN) is an 11-digit number on the back of the ID card. It verifies your TRICARE eligibility and helps you to file your claims. This is the number your doctor's office will need to use to file claims. You will need to use it if you're filing your own claims.

Your card also includes a DoD ID number, a 10-digit number on the front of the ID card. You shouldn’t use your DoD ID number to submit claims. Using your DoD ID number on your claim could result in a denial of your claim.

Next Generation Uniformed Services ID Card

The DoD upgraded the USID cards to a newer, more secure design.

Next Generation USID Card Type	Recipients Include
Department of Defense / Uniformed Services Sponsor Identification and Privilege Card	Retired service members Disabled and retired veterans Retired members and select Employer Support members of the National Guard and Reserves Those eligible for Transitional Assistance Management Program This list isn’t all-inclusive. For a complete list of eligible recipients, visit CAC.mil. Cards with a blue bar are for non-US citizens.
U.S. Department of Defense / Uniformed Services Dependent Identification and Privilege Card	Dependents of: Active duty service members Reserve members on active duty for more than 30 days Retired service members Disabled and retired veterans Reserve members not on active duty or receive retired pay Reserve members who die after receipt of notice of eligibility Surviving Dependents of: Active duty and retired service members This list isn’t all-inclusive. For a complete list of eligible recipients, visit CAC.mil.
Armed Forces of the United States Geneva Conventions Identification Card	Members of the Individual Ready Reserves and Inactive National Guard Non-CAC-eligible civilian noncombatant personnel deployed in conjunction with military operations overseas This list isn’t all-inclusive. For a complete list of eligible recipients, visit CAC.mil.

Next Generation USID Card Type

Recipients Include

Department of Defense / Uniformed Services
Sponsor Identification and Privilege Card

Retired service members
Disabled and retired veterans
Retired members and select Employer Support members of the National Guard and Reserves
Those eligible for Transitional Assistance Management Program

This list isn’t all-inclusive. For a complete list of eligible recipients, visit CAC.mil.

Cards with a blue bar are for non-US citizens.

U.S. Department of Defense / Uniformed Services
Dependent Identification and Privilege Card

Dependents of:

Active duty service members
Reserve members on active duty for more than 30 days
Retired service members
Disabled and retired veterans
Reserve members not on active duty or receive retired pay
Reserve members who die after receipt of notice of eligibility

Surviving Dependents of:

Active duty and retired service members

This list isn’t all-inclusive. For a complete list of eligible recipients, visit CAC.mil.

Armed Forces of the United States
Geneva Conventions Identification Card

Members of the Individual Ready Reserves and Inactive National Guard
Non-CAC-eligible civilian noncombatant personnel deployed in conjunction with military operations overseas

This list isn’t all-inclusive. For a complete list of eligible recipients, visit CAC.mil.

Last Updated 3/11/2024