An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | July 8, 2025

Q&A: Getting TRICARE for Your Newborn Baby

By TRICARE Communications

Welcoming a new baby to your family is an exciting milestone. Your baby’s health is probably one of your top priorities, so you may be wondering how to get TRICARE coverage for your child.

The first thing you should do is register your child in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.

“Your child can’t have a TRICARE plan until you’ve added them to DEERS,” said Cristina Flores, health systems specialist for Healthcare Operations at the Defense Health Agency.

Your child’s date of birth and their sponsor’s status affect what you should do next.

“Children of active duty service members will be automatically enrolled in a TRICARE plan once they’re registered in DEERS,” Flores said. “But enrollment isn’t automatic for children whose sponsors are retirees or have TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Retired Reserve.”

Keep reading to make sure you know the important next steps and deadlines for getting TRICARE coverage for your child.

Q: When do I need to add my child to DEERS for them to get TRICARE coverage?

A: This depends on where your child was born:
  • In the U.S.: You have 90 days from your child’s date of birth to add them to DEERS.
  • Overseas (including U.S. territories): You have 120 days from your child’s date of birth to add them to DEERS.

Q: How do I add my child to DEERS?

A: Your child’s sponsor will need to visit a Uniformed Services ID card office to complete the registration. (If both parents are service members, choose one to be the child’s sponsor in DEERS.)

Bring your child’s official birth certificate or SF-240 Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

You don’t need to wait for your child to receive a Social Security number to start the registration process. But you do need to update your child’s DEERS record when your child is assigned a Social Security number.

Go to milConnect to learn more about adding a newborn to DEERS.

Q: What do I need to do after my child is in DEERS?

A: The next step depends on your child’s sponsor’s status.

If your child’s sponsor is an active duty service member:

  • Your child will be automatically enrolled in a TRICARE plan after you add them to DEERS. Where your child lives determines whether they’ll have TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, or TRICARE Select Overseas.
  • Contact your regional contractor to confirm your child’s enrollment in a plan.
  • You have 90 days from the automatic enrollment date to change to a different plan. Use the Plan Finder to see what other plans your child might be eligible for.

If your child’s sponsor is a retiree:

  • Your child won’t be automatically enrolled in a plan after you add them to DEERS.
  • In the U.S., you must enroll your child in a TRICARE plan within 90 days of your child’s birth so that their coverage effective date is their date of birth.
  • Overseas (including U.S. territories), you must enroll your child in TRICARE Select Overseas within 120 days of your child’s birth so that their coverage effective date is their date of birth.

If your child’s sponsor has TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Retired Reserve:

  • Your child won’t be automatically added to your plan after you add them to DEERS.
  • In the U.S., add your child to TRS or TRR within 90 days of your child’s birth so that their coverage effective date is their date of birth.
  • Overseas (including U.S. territories), add your child to TRS or TRR within 120 days of your child’s birth so that their coverage effective date is their date of birth.

Q: Can my other family members change their TRICARE plan?

A: Having a baby is a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event. A QLE for one family member creates a chance for all eligible family members to change their TRICARE health plan within 90 days of the QLE date, as noted in the TRICARE Qualifying Life Events Fact Sheet. (This doesn’t apply to TRS or TRR.)

Q: What happens if I don’t add my child to DEERS or enroll them in a plan by the deadline?

A: If you don’t add your child to DEERS, they won’t be eligible for DOD’s military or civilian health care coverage.

If your child’s sponsor is on active duty or retired, TRICARE won’t pay on any claims starting when your child is 91 days old (121 days old overseas). If your child’s sponsor has TRS or TRR, TRICARE won’t pay on any claims starting on day 1.

You can still add your child to DEERS after the deadline. However, the sponsor’s status determines:

  • If and when your child can enroll in a TRICARE plan
  • Your child’s coverage effective date and if TRICARE will reprocess any denied claims

Go to Getting TRICARE for Your Child to learn about these scenarios.

Once your child has a TRICARE plan, make sure you take advantage of TRICARE-covered services to keep your child healthy. TRICARE covers well-child care from birth through age 5. This includes routine services, like newborn careimmunizations, and more. You can also learn more about how TRICARE covers breast pumps, supplies, and breastfeeding counseling.
 

Doctor checks a patient's vitals

Unlock Your Health: Learn When To Get Different ...

News
Jul. 01, 2025

When a health issue comes up, knowing where to go for care can make a big difference. Whether it’s an accident...
Read More
Older man and woman smile at each other

Unlock Your Health as You Approach Medicare Elig...

News
Jun. 26, 2025

Are you approaching the age of 65? Unlock your health by signing up for Medicare as soon as you’re eligible...
Read More
Uniformed service member holds thermometer in a patient's mouth.

4 Ways You Can Use Your TRICARE Benefits and Sta...

News
Jun. 24, 2025

What’s on your to-do list this summer? Maybe you’re planning to spend time at the pool, go to a barbecue, or...
Read More
Young girl wrapped in blue and white towel stands on a beach.

Getting Care While You Travel: A TRICARE Guide f...

News
Jun. 17, 2025

Do you have an upcoming trip? TRICARE covers you whether you travel across the country or around the world...
Read More
Man in white shirt reads papers while smiling.

A Quick Guide to Understanding Your TRICARE Dent...

News
Jun. 16, 2025

Understanding your TRICARE Dental Program dental explanation of benefits is important because it helps you...
Read More
Woman in dental chair, gums being examined by dentist wearing pink gloves

The Dentist Is In: Healthy Gums Mean a Healthier...

News
Jun. 13, 2025

Did you know there is a profound connection between gum health and serious medical conditions throughout the...
Read More
Older woman sits at desk looking at monitor with a doctor. TRICARE logo. Text reads, "Patients Needed on June 27 for a Focus Group Discussion about Osteoarthritis. Sign-up deadline is June 26. Learn if you qualify."

Provide Feedback for Clinical Practice Guideline...

News
Jun. 12, 2025

Did you know you can help improve health care for service members, veterans, and their family members? You’re...
Read More
Man in white shirt smiling

Mouth Taping: A New Trend–But What Are Its Effec...

News
Jun. 11, 2025

Mouth taping is the practice of using surgical tape to keep your mouth closed during sleep. It’s recently...
Read More

July 8, 2025

Q&A: Getting TRICARE for Your Newborn Baby

Welcoming a new baby to your family is an exciting milestone. Your baby’s health is probably one of your top priorities, so you may be wondering how to get TRICARE coverage for your child. Your child’s date of birth and their sponsor’s status affect what you should do next.

July 1, 2025

Unlock Your Health: Learn When To Get Different Types of Care

When a health issue comes up, knowing where to go for care can make a big difference. Whether it’s an accident or an illness, TRICARE covers a range of health care services—but the type of care you need determines where you should go.

June 26, 2025

Unlock Your Health as You Approach Medicare Eligibility

Are you approaching the age of 65? Unlock your health by signing up for Medicare as soon as you’re eligible. Medicare Part A and Part B are required to remain eligible for TRICARE, with limited exceptions. Knowing how and when to sign up for Medicare will help you avoid gaps in coverage and late enrollment penalties.

June 24, 2025

4 Ways You Can Use Your TRICARE Benefits and Stay Healthy This Summer

What’s on your to-do list this summer? Maybe you’re planning to spend time at the pool, go to a barbecue, or take a vacation. But don’t take a vacation from your health this summer. Here are four suggested ways you can use your TRICARE benefits this summer.

June 17, 2025

Getting Care While You Travel: A TRICARE Guide for the U.S. and Overseas

Do you have an upcoming trip? TRICARE covers you whether you travel across the country or around the world. Whether you’re heading out for business or taking a family vacation, understanding your coverage options helps you stay prepared for any health issues that might arise.

June 16, 2025

A Quick Guide to Understanding Your TRICARE Dental Program Dental Explanation of Benefits

Understanding your TRICARE Dental Program dental explanation of benefits is important because it helps you track your coverage. This allows you to avoid any unexpected costs.

June 13, 2025

The Dentist Is In: Healthy Gums Mean a Healthier You — What You Should Know

Did you know there is a profound connection between gum health and serious medical conditions throughout the body? From heart disease to diabetes, the state of your gums can significantly impact your long-term health. This article explores the surprising links between oral hygiene and whole-body wellness, offering simple, practical steps you can take today to protect both your smile and your future health.

June 12, 2025

Provide Feedback for Clinical Practice Guidelines in Joint DOD, VA Patient Focus Groups: Osteoarthritis on June 27

Did you know you can help improve health care for service members, veterans, and their family members? You’re invited to join virtual focus groups! The next focus group will discuss osteoarthritis care on June 27 at 2 p.m. ET.

June 11, 2025

Mouth Taping: A New Trend–But What Are Its Effects on Oral Health?

Mouth taping is the practice of using surgical tape to keep your mouth closed during sleep. It’s recently gained popularity as a potential solution for mouth breathing and its related health issues. But is it supported by science or is it just another viral trend?

June 10, 2025

Keep an Eye on Your Vision Health With TRICARE

About 11 million Americans over age 12 need vision correction, according to the CDC. Do you know if you’re one of them? Getting routine eye exams to monitor your eyesight can help detect and prevent eye diseases early.