Paying Tricare Young Adult Premiums Just Got Easier & More Transparent

The Tricare Young Adult (TYA) program is implementing small changes to make paying premiums easier. It also plans to improve communications about rate increases.

Effective Nov. 6, 2019, the military sponsor will be able to make premium payments via allotment. Currently, the only way premiums can be paid is by automatic bank or credit card transfer.

Also effective this November, Tricare contractors will be required to notify enrollees of any premium increases via mail at least 30 days before the increase. Premiums normally change on the first of every year.

Related: Tricare Young Adult Overview

Tricare Young Adult is a health insurance program for unmarried, adult children who have "aged out" of regular Tricare coverage. The plan provides comprehensive medical and pharmacy benefits. Coverage can be purchased by eligible children ages 21 to 26.

Normally, dependent children lose their eligibility to remain a dependent on a member's Tricare plan once they turn 21. However, if they are attending school full time, they can remain on a military member's Tricare plan until they reach age 23 or leave school. The military member must technically be paying more than 50% of a child's living expenses to claim that child as a dependent and keep them on their Tricare policy.

Tricare Young Adult covers those dependents over 21 who aren't in school. It also extends coverage to age 26 for all military children, regardless of how much support the military member provides.

Keep Up with Changes to Tricare and Your Other Benefits

Want to know about changes in military benefits as they happen? Sign up for a free Military.com membership to get the latest benefits news delivered directly straight to your inbox.