After experiencing a qualifying life event, beneficiaries must take action to ensure uninterrupted TRICARE coverage. Even if you don't want to make any changes to your health plan, you must update your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.
1. Update the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
DEERS is a database of active duty and retired service members, their family members, and others who are eligible for TRICARE. Keeping DEERS updated is essential to getting uninterrupted care.
After a QLE, a beneficiary may need to enter a new address, add a spouse or child, indicate other health insurance, etc. Some of these actions may need to take place in person with documentation. Learn more at www.tricare.mil/deers.
2. Choose from three options, based on eligibility
- Stay in the same plan. If a beneficiary wants to stay in the same plan, they don't need to take further action after updating DEERS.
- Change plans. Beneficiaries who want to learn more about plan options can use the TRICARE Plan Finder at www.tricare.mil/planfinder.
- Enroll in a plan. If a beneficiary isn't already enrolled in a plan and chooses not to enroll, they'll only be able to get care and pharmacy service at a military hospital or clinic if space is available. learn more about how to enroll at www.tricare.mil/enroll.
Changes and enrollment must be made within 90 calendar days of the date of the QLE, in most cases. Coverage starts on the date of the QLE and runs for as long as the beneficiary remains eligible.