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 | Aug. 12, 2025

How a Death in the Family May Affect Your TRICARE Coverage

By TRICARE Communications

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.

Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions to get benefit updates, news, and more.

 

Father and son hold hands while walking down a street

Unlock Your Health by Understanding the TRICARE ...

News
Aug. 26, 2025

Do you have TRICARE Prime? If so, you likely get most of your routine health care from your primary care...
Read More
Image of woman sitting on sofa on laptop. Text reads: "Participants needed for virtual tricare.mil usability study. Learn if you qualify." TRICARE logo

Share Your Thoughts on Tricare.mil in Upcoming U...

News
Aug. 22, 2025

Are you interested in shaping the future of TRICARE’s web presence? The Defense Health Agency Usability Lab is...
Read More
Smiling woman holds a baby.

How TRICARE Covers Breastfeeding Supplies and Se...

News
Aug. 21, 2025

Are you pregnant or did you recently have a baby? TRICARE covers certain breast pumps and supplies and...
Read More
Medical professional looks at dental x-rays

TRICARE Medical vs. Dental Coverage: Understandi...

News
Aug. 19, 2025

When you need care for your mouth, jaw, or teeth, you may have questions about whether you should use your...
Read More
Man in grey shirt speaks to a doctor

Medicare and TRICARE For Life: Finding Providers

News
Aug. 14, 2025

If you have TRICARE For Life, you’ll get health care from Medicare providers. Here’s what you need to know...
Read More
Female teacher leads a group of young students into school

Get Your Child Ready for the New School Year: A ...

News
Aug. 07, 2025

Getting your child’s health care needs taken care of before school starts helps ensure they’re ready to focus...
Read More
Service member pours pills into a pill counter machine

TRICARE Coverage of Weight Loss Medications: Wha...

News
Aug. 05, 2025

Understanding the difference between TRICARE plans and coverage is key to knowing what to expect when filling...
Read More
Two service members laugh together in dressed in uniform

TRICARE Coverage for National Guard and Reserve ...

News
Jul. 31, 2025

Are you or your sponsor in the National Guard or Reserve? Your health coverage changes when activating or...
Read More

Aug. 26, 2025

Unlock Your Health by Understanding the TRICARE Prime Referral Process

Do you have TRICARE Prime? If so, you likely get most of your routine health care from your primary care manager. But sometimes, you may need specialty care that your PCM can’t provide. This is when your PCM will give you a referral. In this article, you’ll learn about the TRICARE Prime referral process. We’ll highlight what’s new—and easier—for you and your family members if you’re moving this year.

Aug. 22, 2025

Share Your Thoughts on Tricare.mil in Upcoming Usability Study

Are you interested in shaping the future of TRICARE’s web presence? The Defense Health Agency Usability Lab is looking for participants for a tricare.mil usability study. The DHA Usability Lab will hold several studies to get feedback on the website.

Aug. 21, 2025

How TRICARE Covers Breastfeeding Supplies and Services

Are you pregnant or did you recently have a baby? TRICARE covers certain breast pumps and supplies and breastfeeding counseling at no cost for new mothers.

Aug. 19, 2025

TRICARE Medical vs. Dental Coverage: Understanding Key Differences

When you need care for your mouth, jaw, or teeth, you may have questions about whether you should use your TRICARE medical or dental plan. Knowing when to use your medical or dental coverage helps avoid unnecessary costs or delays in care.

Aug. 14, 2025

Medicare and TRICARE For Life: Finding Providers

If you have TRICARE For Life, you’ll get health care from Medicare providers. Here’s what you need to know about finding different types of Medicare providers.

Aug. 12, 2025

How a Death in the Family May Affect Your TRICARE Coverage

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.

Aug. 7, 2025

Get Your Child Ready for the New School Year: A TRICARE Parent’s Guide

Getting your child’s health care needs taken care of before school starts helps ensure they’re ready to focus on learning. TRICARE covers the essential services that parents need to check off their back-to-school list.

Aug. 5, 2025

TRICARE Coverage of Weight Loss Medications: What To Know

Understanding the difference between TRICARE plans and coverage is key to knowing what to expect when filling your prescription. There are different rules about how TRICARE covers these drugs based on your plan.

July 31, 2025

TRICARE Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Members: Know Your Options

Are you or your sponsor in the National Guard or Reserve? Your health coverage changes when activating or deactivating. Here’s what you need to know.

July 29, 2025

Unlock Your Health: Check Your TRICARE Information in DEERS Today

When was the last time you looked to see if your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System is up to date? If it’s been a while, it’s extremely important to take time and log in to DEERS to review or update your information.