The U.S. Department of Defense has announced higher health insurance premiums for TRICARE’s Young Adult plan.
TRICARE Young Adult is a health plan for certain young adults who are children of military personnel and retirees. Beginning January 1, 2016,
for TRICARE’s Young Adult Prime option, rates will increase to $306 per month; and,
for TRICARE’s Young Adult Standard option, rates will increase to $228 per month.
Department of Defense release NR-411-15, dated October 28, 2015, explained that TRICARE must set these premiums to cover the full cost of TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) beneficiaries. In addition, this release encouraged TYA beneficiaries to “explore all of their health care options and to pick the plan best suited to their needs.”
Regular TRICARE coverage (for example, under a parent’s plan) is available to young adults up to the age of 21 (or 23 if the person is enrolled in college). After that, TRICARE Young Adult is available.
To qualify for TRICARE Young Adult, an individual must be:
- an unmarried child of an eligible sponsor (for example, a retired service member);
- at least 21 but not yet 26 years of age and no longer eligible for coverage under a sponsor’s plan;
- not eligible for an employer plan based on the individual’s own employment, and
- not otherwise eligible for TRICARE coverage.
by John Zottoli
