Beneficiaries Who Don't Qualify for Medicare Part A

If you applied for Medicare and you get a Notice of Award  or a Disapproved Claim  that says you aren't eligible for Medicare Part A, you're still eligible for Part B.

• Find the scenario below that fits you, and follow the steps listed to keep your TRICARE coverage.
• Remember, if you don't sign up for Part B when you're first eligible, you may have to pay a Medicare Part B late-enrollment penalty if you sign up later.

Single, Never Married

• Take your Notice of Award, Disapproved Claim, or both to your local ID card office to update your Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System record and get a new ID card.
• You continue to be eligible for TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select past your 65th birthday.

Widow or Widower

Apply for Medicare Part A under your deceased spouse’s Social Security number.

• If you're eligible for free Part A:
  • You'll get a Notice of Award 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 begins on the date you have both Part A and Part B.
• If you aren't eligible for free Part A:
  • You'll get a Notice of Award, Disapproved Claim, or both from the SSA, based on your deceased sponsor's SSN.
  • Take the Notice of Award, Disapproved Claim, or both to your local ID card office to update your DEERS record and get a new ID card.
  • You continue to be eligible for TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select past your 65th birthday.

Married or Divorced: Spouse Age 62 or Older

Apply for Medicare under your spouse’s (or divorced spouse's) SSN.

• If you're eligible for free Part A:
  • You'll get a Notice of Award from the SSA. 
  • Sign up for Medicare Part B. Your record in DEERS automatically updates to show your Part A and Part B coverage.
  • Your TFL coverage begins on the date you have both Part A and Part B.
• If you aren't eligible for free Part A under your spouse's (or divorced spouse's) SSN:
  • You’ll get a Notice of Award, Disapproved Claim, or both from the SSA.
  • Take the Notice of Award, Disapproved Claim, or both to your local ID card office to update your DEERS record and receive a new ID card.  
  • You continue to be eligible for TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select past your 65th birthday.

Married or Divorced: Spouse Younger Than Age 62

Sign up for Medicare Part B.

• Take your Notice of Award, Disapproved Claim, or both to your local ID card office to update your DEERS record and receive a new ID card.
• You continue to be eligible for TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select past your 65th birthday.
• Three months before your spouse (or divorced spouse) turns 62, apply for Medicare Part A under their SSN.