TRICARE Options for College Students

College-bound dependents of active duty or retired Service members can take comfort that their TRICARE coverage will make the journey with them, at home or away. TRICARE coverage is portable, meaning it will move with your children—eligible dependents will remain covered by TRICARE, no matter where they live, as long as their DEERS information stays current.

Have your children moved across the country? TRICARE Standard and Extra coverage can be still used. TRICARE Prime enrollment can even be transferred from one TRICARE region to another through a split enrollment. A split enrollment allows the family to remain enrolled in one region, paying one enrollment fee (if required) while the children live in areas with TRICARE Prime coverage (usually near a military treatment facility or other designated areas) in different regions. TRICARE Prime Remote for Active Duty Family Members (TPRADFM) coverage is not portable for those who move away from home.

For children living away from home in areas without Prime coverage, TRICARE Standard and Extra will be the only programs available. You are not required to enroll for Standard and Extra coverage and it is accessible through TRICARE-authorized and network providers.

Full-time college students remain eligible for TRICARE benefits until age 23 or whenever full-time student status ends (whichever comes first), provided over half of the student’s financial support is still provided by the sponsor.

Keep your child eligible by making sure their Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) records are updated. You can help prevent any delays or denials of claims when:

• Your child’s address and personal information is updated in DEERS
• Your child has a valid uniformed services ID card that shows TRICARE eligibility.