Written by Angela Caban,

A few months ago, TRICARE made the announcement that a Young Adult Program (TYA) would be available for military families and their college graduate children. The TYA program through TRICARE is now available to eligible beneficiaries.

The programs ensures that newly graduated college graduates have the health insurance that they need while out in the workforce looking for employment. This coverage is available up until the age of 26, and young adults are covered under the TRICARE Standard option only. You must me unmarried and unable to enroll in employer insurance.

The enrollment process is simple, and TRICARE’s TYA website is available to enroll using these simple steps:

1. You can complete the enrollment form online, print it, and then mail it to your TRICARE Managed Care Support Contractor. You can also take it to your local TRICARE Service Center. The Young Adult applicant, not the sponsor, must sign the form and certify their eligibility. An initial payment will be required that includes the premium payments for the first three months. Payments will then become monthly.
2. The person enrolled in the TYA will receive a welcome letter and an insurance card when their enrollment has been processed. They will show this card as proof of insurance when seeking medical care. When the application is processed, TRICARE Standard coverage will begin the first day of the following month. However, an initial one-month waiver will allow coverage back to May 1, 2011, if the enrollment form and payment are received (not postmarked) by your regional contractor before May 31, 2011.
3. After receiving the insurance card (not before!), the young adult and their military sponsor may visit a uniformed services identification (ID) card issuing facility to get a military ID card. The ID card will be for health care access only, not for commissary, exchange, or other military benefits. Having a military ID card will make it easier for TYA Standard enrollees to access military pharmacies to get their medications filled or obtain emergency care at a military hospital. In the future, the ID card will allow TYA Prime enrollees to gain access for care within the military treatment facility. It is important to remember that TYA enrollees are eligible to use the TRICARE mail order option to receive needed medications to their home.

More information is available on the TRICARE Young Adult website.

(References TRICARE Young Adult website, NMFA)

For more on Angela Caban, visit her website at www.angelacaban.com or www.homefrontunited.com.

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