FALLS CHURCH, Va. –
Note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. This resource connects you with trained counselors who can help you get the help you need, 24/7.
When a family member passes away, it can feel overwhelming to deal with paperwork on top of the emotional burden. This article provides a few steps you should take in the weeks following your family member’s death. Taking these steps can help ensure your coverage continues without interruption.
“After losing a family member, your health coverage may not be the first thing on your mind,” said Zelly Zim, senior analyst, TRICARE Policy and Programs at the Defense Health Agency. “But it’s important to understand how your loved one’s death may affect your TRICARE coverage, so you’re prepared for your family’s future.”
A death in the family is a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event. This means that surviving family members have 90 days to make eligible health plan changes, as described in the TRICARE Qualifying Life Events Fact Sheet. Here’s what else you need to know.
Reporting the death
If your sponsor dies
You only have to report the death to the TRICARE Pharmacy Program contractor, Express Scripts. For medical and dental care, the Defense Manpower Data Center gets information from the Social Security Administration or the sponsor’s service.
It may take some time for DMDC to get the information. If you prefer, you may notify DMDC of the death by:
- Visiting a local Uniformed Services ID card office with a copy of the death certificate
- Faxing a copy of the death certificate to 800-336-4416
- Mailing a copy of the death certificate to:
DMDC/DEERS Support Office
400 Gigling Road
Seaside, CA 93955-6771
If your sponsor was retired, there are other steps you need to take depending on their service.
If another family member dies
If a family member who wasn’t the sponsor dies, contact the DMDC/DEERS Support Office to learn the necessary steps to report their death. Depending on your situation, your health plan options may also change from family to individual.
Coverage following the death
TRICARE continues to provide coverage for surviving family members. Plans and costs depend on:
- If you're a spouse or a child:
- Spouses can keep TRICARE unless they remarry. If a spouse decides to remarry, their TRICARE coverage will end unless they marry another active duty or retired service member.
- Children can keep TRICARE up to normal age limits. After that, if they qualify for TRICARE Young Adult, they can purchase TYA coverage if their sponsor had TRICARE at the time of their death.
- The sponsor's military status when they died:
- Active duty: Children and spouses are considered transitional survivors for the first three years after the sponsor dies. Transitional survivors are eligible for special programs like the Extended Care Health Option. Spouses are covered as active duty family members (unless they remarry) for these three years. Then, they’re covered as retired family members. Children remain covered as ADFMs until they age out or lose TRICARE eligibility for other reasons.
- Retired: Your health plan options and costs won’t change. Surviving spouses remain eligible unless they remarry. Children remain covered until they age out or lose eligibility for other reasons.
- National Guard or Reserve member: Your sponsor’s status at the time of their death determines your TRICARE benefits. Visit Survivors of National Guard and Reserve Members to read more about your specific situation. (Note: Beginning Oct. 1, 2025, you can buy or continue coverage for up to three years from the date of the sponsor’s death. This is if your sponsor had TRICARE coverage at the time of their death.)
Filing claims
If you need to file a claim on behalf of the deceased, check out Filing Claims for forms and instructions.
To learn more
If you have questions about this process, call the DMDC/DEERS Support Office at 800-538-9552 (TTY/TDD: 866-363-2883).
Are you struggling to adjust following the death of a loved one? Don’t wait to ask for help. Learn more about getting mental health care with TRICARE.
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