Vet News: Health Benefits for Military Families Aren't 'Automatic'

WASHINGTON, August 16, 2004 -- Department of Defense TRICARE officials are working to inform military families that non-active-duty beneficiaries must enroll in the health care system before they see a doctor.

Active-duty service members are automatically registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). However, this isn’t the case with family members, who must personally ensure they are properly enrolled in DEERS to be eligible for TRICARE benefits. This is a step many families forget each time they transfer or travel. Not keeping DEERS information current, though, can create extra time in the waiting room or incur costly out-of-pocket expenses.

"It is extremely important to keep DEERS records up-to-date, because that is the key to receiving timely, effective TRICARE benefits. Prior to rendering services to beneficiaries, network providers and pharmacies will verify DEERS eligibility," said Floyd (Skip) Katon, Navy DEERS medical project officer.

There are several instances where a military family must update its DEERS enrollment information. These times include marriage, the birth or adoption of a child, divorce or retirement. Children over 21 years old who have a student status must also be registered in DEERS. Active-duty service members can make these changes by completing a DD Form 1172 (Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card and DEERS Enrollment).

While completing the DD Form 1172, the service member will be required to have certain important pieces of documentation, such as a marriage, birth or death certificate, divorce decree, and family members’ Social Security numbers.

Sponsors and their families should contact the nearest uniformed services identification card facility to learn what documents are needed to register or update DEERS information. To find the closest facility, search by ZIP Code at www.dmdc.osd.mil.

For family members who do not reside with their sponsors, the sponsors must get the DD 1172 notarized.

Beneficiaries may update information on DEERS in one of the following ways: visit a local uniformed services ID card facility; call the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office at 1-800-538-9552; fax changes to DEERS at 1-831-655-8317; mail the address change to the Defense Manpower Data Center Office, ATTN: COA, 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, Calif. 93955-6771; or update addresses electronically at www.tricare.osd.mil/DEERS.

SOURCE: VNIS