I have a question about Tricare's coverage for young adults. Can you help?

My husband is a retired Marine and our son lost his health insurance with Tricare when he turned 21 because he was no longer a full time student. He is not eligible for coverage at his work that I know of, so I was wondering if anyone knows if Tricare will be required to offer coverage for my son, or are they exempt?

2010-05-10T13:10:12Z

How rude can people be? My son doesn't make enough money to have health insurance. We pay our taxes and if it requires us to pay a little more for coverage for him, then we would. My husband didn't serve for 20 years to live off the government. It was a valid question for someone who may possibly be covered by a law which obviously you have no respect for.

2010-05-10T13:49:56Z

So what you're saying is that the military is exempt for coverage for the uninsured former dependents. I was wondering if this was so because when I was reading stuff about the new law, it pretty much kept talking about employers, nothing about retirees insurance plans. Hopefully one day my son will get paid more or will become eligible at work to get coverage. I'd hate for him to get ill without insurance. Thanks for your help, unlike the first person who answered.

2010-05-10T14:15:22Z

Thanks Mrsjvb. I think you were typing your reply as I was typing mine to the previous person who answered. I guess I never considered Tricare a benefit since we pay for our coverage. I used to work for a medical group and they didn't take Tricare, so we paid for separate coverage through my husband's employer at the time. When I stopped working, we switched to Tricare to save money. I appreciate you answering in a kind way. I know there are some people out there just wanting to live off the government, but why would someone spend 20 years at a job to do it? Have a nice day!

2010-05-11T10:10:29Z

Thanks for the link square face.. You had no name at the bottom of the face!

Mrsjvb2010-05-10T13:47:23Z

Favorite Answer

no. he lost his benefit and cannot get it back.


tricare is SPECFICALLY EXEMPT from the new health care bill that requires parents to cover their kids until 26. Tricare IS NOT INSURANCE..it is a military benefit and is subject to different regulations.

usafbrat642010-05-10T13:32:11Z

Tricare is only required to provide medical coverage for dependents up through age 21, which is when dependent children lose their ID Cards, if they are not full time students. If they are full time students, then coverage extends to age 23.

This is a military reg, and has nothing to do with Tricare itself. No military benefits past age 21.

I'm sorry your son is not eligible for benefits through his work, but he will have to find another source for medical coverage. The gov't fulfilled it's obligation to him, period.

?2010-05-10T19:49:57Z

Apparently there is an effort in Congress to extend Tricare coverage to age 26.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/04/military_tricarechildren_age26_041510w/

rejectedsoul2010-05-10T13:04:42Z

they dont and wont cover him
and they shouldnt he is a grown adult and working he can buy his own through work or on his own

if he wants tricare tell him to enlist

your son is an adult and not entitled to a cent from the government