TRICARE Young Adult

TRICARE Young Adult is a plan that qualified adult children can purchase after eligibility for "regular" TRICARE coverage ends at age 21 (or 23 if enrolled in college, learn more).

Who Can Participate?

You may qualify to purchase TRICARE Young Adult if you're:

An unmarried, adult child of an
eligible sponsor
Eligible sponsors for TRICARE Young Adult includes:
- Active duty service members
- Retired service members
- Activated Guard and Reserve members
- Non-activated Guard and Reserve members using TRICARE Reserve Select
- Retired Guard and Reserve members using TRICARE Retired Reserve
- Unremarried former spouses registered in DEERS under their own Social Security number
At least age 21 but not yet 26 years old.
- If enrolled in a full course of study at an approved institution of higher learning and your sponsor provides more than 50 percent of your financial support, your eligibility may not begin until age 23 or upon graduation, whichever comes first.
Not eligible to enroll in an employer-sponsored health plan based on your own employment
Not otherwise eligible for TRICARE coverage

Note: You can enroll in TRICARE Young Adult without a valid ID card. When your coverage begins, and you're notified by your regional contractor, visit any ID card office to get a new ID card. You should show your ID card when you go to the doctor.

How it Works

How you get care depends on which option you select:

What You Pay

TRICARE Young Adult costs are based on three things:

The option you select when you enroll: Prime or Select
Your sponsor's military status
Where the care is received

To participate, you're required to pay monthly premiums, and then your plan option and sponsor's military status determine what you pay for covered services.

>>View TRICARE Young Adult Costs

Is TRICARE Young Adult Right for You?

TRICARE Young Adult is an option for unmarried, adult children who have "aged out" of regular TRICARE coverage. The plan provides comprehensive medical and pharmacy benefits. You should review all of your health plan options (military or commercial) before deciding if TRICARE Young Adult is the right plan for you.

Note: You aren't eligible for TRICARE Young Adult if you're eligible for employer-sponsored health plan.