TRICARE Dependent Aging Out: Guide to TYA & 2026 Rules | TRICARE.com

Aging out of TRICARE coverage is a "Qualifying Life Event" (QLE) that occurs when a dependent child reaches age 21 (or 23 if a full-time student). On their birthday, regular dependent coverage ends automatically, requiring the young adult to either enroll in a transitional plan like TRICARE Young Adult or find private insurance.

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program. For official policy and enrollment, visit [TRICARE.mil](https://www.tricare.mil).*

## What changes When a dependent child turns 21 (or 23 if enrolled in college full-time with at least 50% financial support from the sponsor), they lose eligibility for standard TRICARE Prime or Select coverage. This is a permanent change in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). The individual may remain eligible for purchased coverage under TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) until age 26, provided they are unmarried and not eligible for an employer-sponsored health plan.

What to do — checklist

1. **Verify DEERS Information (6-12 months before):** Log into [milConnect](https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/) to ensure the dependent's contact information and student status (if applicable) are current. 2. **Certify Student Status (Before 21st birthday):** If the dependent is a full-time student, the sponsor must provide a letter from the school’s registrar's office to a Uniformed Services ID card office to extend coverage until age 23. 3. **Evaluate Coverage Options (90 days before):** Decide between TRICARE Young Adult (TYA), a plan through a new employer, or the Health Insurance Marketplace. 4. **Submit TYA Application (Up to 30 days before/90 days after):** To avoid a gap in coverage, submit [DD Form 2947](https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/forms/dd2500_2999/DD2947/) to the regional contractor (Humana Military in the East; TriWest in the West). 5. **Pay Initial Premium (With application):** TYA requires an advance payment of the first month's premium. (2026 rates vary; check TRICARE.mil for current TYA Prime and Select monthly costs). 6. **Schedule Final "Minor" Appointments (30 days before):** Complete any routine check-ups or prescription refills while still under the sponsor’s primary plan to simplify billing. 7. **Obtain New ID Card (After age 21/23):** Once enrolled in TYA, the young adult will need a new ID card to reflect their changed status.

Timeline

| Timing | Action | | :--- | :--- | | **90 Days Before** | Research 2026 TYA premium rates and compare with employer-sponsored plans. | | **30 Days Before** | Submit the TYA enrollment application to Humana Military (East) or TriWest (West). | | **On Birthday** | Coverage under Prime/Select officially ends. Enrollment in TYA (if submitted) begins. | | **Day +1 to +90** | **Grace Period:** You have 90 days from the "loss of eligibility" to enroll in TYA or a Marketplace plan as a QLE. | | **Day +91** | If no action was taken, the individual is uninsured and must wait for an open enrollment period or another QLE. |

Common pitfalls

* **Assuming it's automatic:** Many families assume the child stays on the plan until age 26 like civilian plans under the ACA. In TRICARE, coverage **drops** at 21/23 unless you proactively enroll in and pay for TYA. * **Missing the Student Extension:** If a student fails to update their status in DEERS before their 21st birthday, their coverage will hard-stop at age 21, even if they are in class full-time. * **Marriage:** If a dependent marries, they lose all TRICARE eligibility immediately, including the ability to buy TRICARE Young Adult. * **Employer-Sponsored Coverage Eligibility:** If the young adult is eligible for a health plan through their own job, they are legally disqualified from purchasing TRICARE Young Adult, even if the employer's plan is more expensive.

## Sources * TRICARE Aging Out Official Guide: [https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/ChildAgeOut](https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/ChildAgeOut) * TRICARE Young Adult Program Details: [https://www.tricare.mil/TYA](https://www.tricare.mil/TYA) * milConnect (DEERS updates): [https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/](https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/) * TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region): [https://www.triwest.com/](https://www.triwest.com/) * Humana Military (East Region): [https://www.humanamilitary.com/](https://www.humanamilitary.com/)