Alyssa Lane
Military spouses are eligible for medical insurance. They can receive services outside military or government facilities through TRICARE, which covers most inpatient and outpatient care that is medically necessary. They may also be eligible for CHAMPVA coverage, which gives them access to a network of civilian healthcare providers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Spouse of a retiree | Eligible for TRICARE |
| Spouse of an active duty service member | Auto-enrolled in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select |
| Live outside of a TRICARE Prime Service Area | Auto-enrolled in TRICARE Select |
| Live overseas | Auto-enrolled in TRICARE Select Overseas |
| Spouse of a Veteran | Eligible for CHAMPVA |
| Surviving spouse of a Veteran | Eligible for a VA-backed home loan |
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What You'll Learn
- Spouses of retirees must enrol in a TRICARE plan within 90 days of marriage
- Spouses can receive services outside military facilities with TRICARE
- CHAMPVA is a health insurance option for spouses of veterans with service-connected disabilities
- VA DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit for surviving spouses of veterans
- Spouses are eligible for life insurance coverage through the FSGLI program
Spouses of retirees must enrol in a TRICARE plan within 90 days of marriage
When a spouse marries a retired service member, they become entitled to military benefits, including TRICARE. To avail of these benefits, the sponsor must register their spouse in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) within 90 days of the marriage. This is a crucial deadline to keep in mind, as it directly impacts the couple's healthcare coverage.
The process of enrolling in a TRICARE plan depends on the couple's place of residence and the military status of the sponsor. If the couple lives in a stateside TRICARE Prime Service Area, the new spouse will be auto-enrolled in TRICARE Prime. They will then have 90 days from the auto-enrollment date to switch to a different plan if they prefer, such as TRICARE Select or USFHP, if available. On the other hand, if they reside outside of a TRICARE Prime Service Area, the spouse will be automatically enrolled in TRICARE Select and can change to TRICARE Prime Remote or USFHP within 90 days if they wish.
For spouses residing overseas, the process is slightly different. They will be auto-enrolled in TRICARE Select Overseas and have 90 days to switch to TRICARE Prime Overseas or TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas if available and command-sponsored. It is important to note that command sponsorship is a requirement for enrolling in an overseas Prime option.
TRICARE offers comprehensive coverage for most inpatient and outpatient care deemed medically necessary. This includes a robust pharmacy benefit and potential dental coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). Healthcare costs under TRICARE are based on the sponsor's status (active duty or retired) and the specific health plan chosen.
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Spouses can receive services outside military facilities with TRICARE
Spouses of active duty or retired service members are entitled to military benefits, including TRICARE. TRICARE is a healthcare program that provides military spouses with access to medical services. It is important to note that the sponsor's uniformed service decides who is eligible for TRICARE and reports it in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
If you are a new spouse of an active-duty service member living in a stateside TRICARE Prime Service Area, you will be auto-enrolled in TRICARE Prime. However, you have the option to change to a different plan within 90 days of the auto-enrollment date. If you reside stateside but outside of a TRICARE Prime Service Area, you will be auto-enrolled in TRICARE Select and again, you have the flexibility to switch to another plan within 90 days if needed.
For spouses living overseas, auto-enrollment in TRICARE Select Overseas is the initial step. Similar to the previous scenarios, you have the option to transition to TRICARE Prime Overseas or TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas within 90 days, provided that it is available and command-sponsored. It's worth noting that your healthcare costs under TRICARE are influenced by your sponsor's status (active duty or retired) and the specific health plan option you have chosen.
TRICARE offers a comprehensive pharmacy benefit and may also provide dental coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). Additionally, TRICARE allows you to manage your appointments conveniently. You can utilize TricareOnline.com to schedule, modify, or cancel appointments at military hospitals or clinics, including same-day appointments.
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CHAMPVA is a health insurance option for spouses of veterans with service-connected disabilities
Spouses of retired or active-duty service members are entitled to military benefits, including TRICARE, a Defense Department (DOD) program. TRICARE covers most inpatient and outpatient care that is medically necessary.
However, if you are the spouse of a veteran with service-connected disabilities, you may qualify for health care benefits through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). CHAMPVA is a health insurance option for spouses, dependents, and survivors of veterans who meet certain service-connected disability requirements. To qualify for CHAMPVA, you must not be eligible for TRICARE.
CHAMPVA offers a range of benefits, including access to health insurance, mental health counselling, caregiver training, and respite care. You can also purchase dental insurance through the VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) at a reduced cost. Additionally, CHAMPVA covers prescription medications through Meds by Mail and local pharmacies. If you have other health insurance with prescription coverage, you cannot use Meds by Mail.
To apply for CHAMPVA benefits, you can submit your documents online or by mail. If applying online, you can submit your documents as part of the online application using VA Form 10-7959c. If applying by mail, you can download and complete the form, along with providing copies of your cards and other supporting documents.
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VA DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit for surviving spouses of veterans
Spouses of military personnel are entitled to military benefits, including medical insurance. If you are the spouse of an active-duty or retired service member, you must be registered by your sponsor in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Once registered, you will be auto-enrolled in a TRICARE plan. TRICARE covers most inpatient and outpatient care that is deemed medically necessary.
In addition to TRICARE, spouses of veterans may be eligible for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). CHAMPVA is for spouses, dependents, and survivors of veterans who meet certain service-connected disability requirements. Benefits may include a financial stipend, access to health insurance, mental health counselling, caregiver training, and respite care.
If you are the surviving spouse of a veteran, you may be eligible for a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC). The amount you receive depends on the type of survivor you are, with different rates for spouses and dependent children. For example, if you are the surviving spouse of a veteran whose pay grade was E-3, your monthly rate would start at $1,653.07. You may also be eligible for added amounts based on certain factors, such as the number of dependent children under 18.
To apply for VA DIC, you will need to fill out an application for benefits. The application you fill out will depend on your survivor status. If you are the surviving spouse or child of a service member who died while on active duty, your military casualty assistance officer will help you complete an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child (VA Form 21P-534a). If you are the surviving spouse or child of a veteran, you will need to fill out VA Form 21P-534EZ.
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Spouses are eligible for life insurance coverage through the FSGLI program
Spouses are eligible for life insurance coverage through the Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) program. This program is a valuable benefit provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to support the families of servicemembers. It is an extension of the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program, and offers life insurance coverage to spouses and dependent children of servicemembers who are insured under SGLI.
The coverage amount for spouses under FSGLI is not automatic and must be applied for. Spouses can be insured for up to $100,000, which is also the maximum coverage amount for non-military spouses. Military spouses must apply for coverage, and the premiums they pay are based on their age and the coverage amount selected. On the other hand, non-military spouses are automatically covered under FSGLI, and their coverage amount is either $100,000 or the same amount as their servicemember spouse under SGLI, whichever is less.
Dependent children of servicemembers are also covered under FSGLI for an amount of $10,000 each, and this coverage is provided at no cost to the servicemember. It is important to note that the coverage amount for dependent children is automatic and no separate application is required. If a servicemember is eligible for SGLI, their spouse and dependent children are automatically eligible for FSGLI coverage. However, the servicemember must be enrolled in SGLI to add family members to FSGLI.
The FSGLI program is designed to provide peace of mind to servicemembers and their families, offering affordable life insurance coverage with premiums ranging from less than a dollar to over $40 per month, depending on the servicemember's age and the coverage amount selected. The premiums are automatically deducted from the servicemember's pay each month. When a servicemember is no longer eligible for FSGLI, they have the option to transition to commercial life insurance or Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI).
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Frequently asked questions
TRICARE is a health plan that military spouses are eligible for. It covers most inpatient and outpatient care that is medically necessary.
If you are the spouse of an active-duty service member, you will be auto-enrolled in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select, depending on where you live. You have 90 days from the auto-enrollment date to change to a different plan.
CHAMPVA is the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is a comprehensive healthcare program that covers a range of necessary medical and psychological services and supplies, including preventive care and specialized treatments.
You may be eligible for CHAMPVA if you are the spouse of a veteran who meets certain service-connected disability requirements.
