By This blog is the most recent in a series helping members of the Coast Guard family understand how to use their TRICARE benefits. The blog series will continue every Monday, right here on Coast Guard All Hands.
Written by Lt. j.g. Colleen McCue
Navigating TRICARE can be overwhelming at times. The Health, Safety, and Work-Life Service Center want to ensure your child receives the appropriate care and coverage for adoptions, stepchildren, and foster children.
Adoption
Question: Will TRICARE cover my adopted child?
Answer: Yes, TRICARE will cover the adopted child until their 21st birthday. Coverage may be extended to an unmarried child of a TRICARE-eligible sponsor until reaching age 23 if:
1) The child is a college student enrolled in a full-time course of study at an approved institution of higher learning, and
2) The sponsor provides over 50 percent of his or her financial support
Question: What type of health plan is available to my adopted child?
Answer: Your child’s health plan depends on their sponsor’s military status and where you live.
Question: How do I register my adopted child into DEERs?
Answer: A record of adoption or court documentation letter of placement of the child into the home by a recognized placement/adoption agency or the court before the final adoption.
Question: How long do I have to enroll my child?
Answer: An adoptee will be enrolled in Prime at the time of adoption if one family member is already enrolled in Prime. A responsible representative has 60 days to officially enroll the child to the Prime option. If the adoptee is formally enrolled in Prime within the 60 day period, the effective date of enrollment will be the first day of the month following the date of adoption. If not enrolled during the 60 day calendar period, the adoptee will revert to a non-enrolled beneficiary effective the 61st day applying TRICARE cost-shares and deductibles.
Question: If I am adopting an infant, will I be eligible to receive breast pumps and supplies?
Answer: Yes, this coverage is extended for a female beneficiary who legally adopts an infant and intends to personally breastfeed to adopted infant.
Stepchildren
Question: Will TRICARE cover my stepchild?
Answer: Yes, TRICARE will cover medical care for the stepchild. The sponsor does not have adopt the stepchild if married to the stepchild’s parent.
Question: What happens if the sponsor and parents get a divorce?
Answer: The stepchild’s coverage will end on the date the divorce decree is final.
Foster Children
Question: Will TRICARE cover my foster child?
Answer: TRICARE will cover a legally adopted child and a child placed as a legal ward of the court in the home of the sponsor.
Question: Who can I speak with to receive more information?
Answer: Call the Coast Guard’s Health Benefits Advisor Line at 800-9-HBA-HBA or call TRICARE at 1-800-TRICARE.
Please leave comments or questions below!