TRICARE Coverage Ends at Age 26: Rules & Options | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer Under federal law, regular TRICARE coverage for dependent children typically ends at age 21, or age 23 if enrolled in a full-time course of study at an approved institution. Once standard coverage expires, adult children may be eligible to purchase **TRICARE Young Adult (TYA)**, which provides continued coverage until the day they turn 26.

Details

The "Age 26" rule is a critical milestone in the TRICARE lifecycle. Unlike civilian plans under the Affordable Care Act, TRICARE coverage is not automatically free or included in the sponsor's plan until age 26. Instead, coverage is tiered based on student status and the purchase of premium-based extensions.

### When standard coverage ends Standard TRICARE coverage (at no additional premium for most active-duty families) ends when a child: * Turns **21 years old**. * Turns **23 years old** (if a full-time student at an accredited college and the sponsor provides over 50% of their financial support). * Gets married. * Enlists in the military.

### TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) If a dependent is over 21 (or 23) but under 26, they may qualify for TRICARE Young Adult. This is a premium-based program. There are two options: 1. **TYA Prime:** Available in certain geographic areas; requires a Primary Care Manager (PCM) and referrals. 2. **TYA Select:** Available worldwide; offers more flexibility in provider choice but higher out-of-pocket costs.

**2026 Monthly Premiums:** * **TYA Prime:** *Varies by plan year — check TRICARE.mil for current rates.* * **TYA Select:** *Varies by plan year — check TRICARE.mil for current rates.*

*Note: Historically, TYA premiums have risen significantly year-over-year because the law requires the program to be self-sustaining, covering all administrative and secondary costs.*

### What happens on the 26th birthday? On the day a dependent turns 26, they lose all eligibility for TRICARE. This is an absolute cutoff. The only exceptions are for children who are "incapable of self-support" due to a severe physical or mental disability that existed before their 21st (or 23rd) birthday.

### Post-TRICARE Options When coverage ends at 26, the individual has a 60-day window to enroll in a plan via the Health Insurance Marketplace (Healthcare.gov) due to a "Qualifying Life Event." They may also look into the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP), which acts as a "bridge" for up to 36 months, though premiums for CHCBP are expensive as they are paid quarterly.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Family Members:** Children transitioning from standard Prime/Select to TYA or off the plan entirely. * **Retiree Family Members:** Children of retirees who may be using TYA Select or Prime. * **National Guard/Reserve:** Children of members using TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS). * **Survivors:** Dependent children of deceased service members.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [TRICARE Young Adult Overview](https://www.tricare.mil/tya) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [Eligibility & Age Limits](https://www.tricare.mil/Eligibility/Children) * **Humana Military (East):** [Ending Coverage Information](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West):** [Plan Transitions](https://www.triwest.com/)