As a child reaches important milestones like graduation or specific birthdays, they may face changes to their TRICARE health plan eligibility, according to Debra Fisher, health system specialist, Policy & Programs Branch, TRICARE Health Plan, at the Defense Health Agency, who addressed this issue in a recently issued press release from TRICARE.1
“Understanding these options early helps ensure your adult child can make well-informed decisions about their future health care coverage,” Fisher continued.
Young adults can retain their current TRICARE plan until at least age 21, and college students may use their existing plan until they turn age 23 or graduate.
To qualify, they must:
- Be a full-time student at an approved institution of higher education
- Have a TRICARE sponsor who provides >50% of their financial support
TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) offers health coverage for children who lose TRICARE eligibility due to age. To qualify, they must:
- Be an unmarried child of an eligible service member
- Be at least 21 years of age but not yet age 26 years
- Not qualify for employer-sponsored health plans
- Not be eligible for other TRICARE plans
- Not be a member of the uniformed services
TYA comes in 2 options: TYA-Prime and TYA-Select. Which one a child can choose depends on their sponsor’s status and where they live, but both options come with monthly premiums. After premiums, other out-of-pocket costs depend on which option a child chooses, their sponsor’s status, and where they get care.
Both TYA options include medical and pharmacy benefits, plus routine eye exams. Neither includes full vision or dental coverage, which can be purchased separately.
TYA coverage ends when any of the following occur:
- The child turns 26 years of age
- They get married
- They become eligible for an employer-sponsored health plan
- They qualify for other TRICARE coverage
- They choose to end coverage
If a child ends TYA coverage voluntarily, they can’t purchase it again for 12 months. This lockout doesn’t apply if they gain access to an employer plan or other TRICARE coverage.
Continued Health Care Benefit Program
If your child loses TRICARE eligibility, they may qualify for the Continued Health Care Benefit program. This premium-based plan offers the same coverage as TRICARE Select for up to 36 months, serving as a bridge to civilian health insurance.
Reference
- TRICARE Communications. Learn About TRICARE Health Plan Options for Young Adults. May 22, 2025. Accessed June 17, 2025. https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/4195479/learn-about-tricare-health-plan-options-for-young-adults