It’s the step most military moms don’t realize they still have to take. There’s a moment after bringing a new baby home when everything seems to be in order: hospital paperwork signed, birth certificate requested, tiny outfits folded into drawers. Health coverage feels like one of those things that must already be taken care of. For military families, that assumption can unknowingly cause big problems.

Because while newborns are covered by TRICARE immediately after birth, that coverage is temporary unless parents complete a specific two-step process. And missing that step, even unintentionally, can lead to something no new parent expects... denied medical claims for the birth of a newborn.

With these risks in mind, it's important to know that the official requirements for keeping your baby fully covered require two time-sensitive actions:

1. First, register your newborn in DEERS.
2. Then, confirm enrollment in a TRICARE health plan.

Step 1: Register Your Newborn in DEERS: This Activates Eligibility

This is the most urgent task after birth. Your baby must be added to the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) within:

• 90 days if born in the United States
• 120 days if born overseas

If this deadline is missed, TRICARE warns that claims can begin being denied starting on day 91, even for care that occurred earlier. This is where many families get caught off guard. The baby is covered at birth, but the system doesn’t recognize ongoing eligibility until DEERS is actually updated.

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What Documents You'll Need Before Enrolling

Most families need only a birth certificate or official record, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad if overseas, and adoption or placement paperwork if applicable.

You do not need your baby’s Social Security number yet to get started; it can be added later. Gather the required documents for your baby before signing up for enrollment.

Where This Step Actually Happens

Adding a newborn to DEERS typically requires visiting a RAPIDS ID Card Office.

• Find a location: ID Card Office
• For assistance beforehand, contact the DEERS Support Office: 800-538-9552.

Step 2: Confirm or Enroll Your Newborn in a TRICARE Plan

This is the step many families don’t realize is separate. Adding your baby to DEERS does not always complete enrollment in a TRICARE health plan. What happens next depends on the sponsor’s status.

Active Duty Families: Enrollment Is Usually Automatic, but You Should Verify

Once added to DEERS, most active duty newborns are automatically placed into either TRICARE Prime, which offers managed care and requires using network providers with assigned primary care managers, or TRICARE Select, which provides greater provider choice but higher out-of-pocket costs.

The default plan depends on your location, but parents can confirm or change plans during a qualifying life event period.

Parents still have a 90-day window after birth to confirm enrollment or change plans using a Qualifying Life Event.

Retiree Families: Enrollment Is Not Automatic

Retiree families must actively enroll their newborn in a TRICARE plan. If enrollment is not completed on time, coverage may not be backdated, making families responsible for medical bills.

Reserve Select & Retired Reserve Families: Highest Risk For Coverage Gaps

After DEERS registration, babies in these plans may still appear as having no health coverage until they are added to the TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Retired Reserve policy and premiums are updated.

These plans require monthly premiums and do not have automatic enrollment; families must actively manage plan selection and payments.

TRICARE warns that claims may be denied immediately if enrollment is not completed promptly.

How to Confirm or Enroll Online

The fastest way to finalize enrollment is through milConnect’s Beneficiary Web Enrollment system.

Steps:

1. Log in to milConnect
2. Select “Manage Health Benefits”
3. Choose your newborn
4. Confirm or change enrollment

What if the Hospital Asks for Insurance Before Everything Is Updated?

Don’t panic. This situation is common and does not mean coverage is lost. TRICARE advises families to:

• Add the baby to DEERS promptly
• Complete enrollment quickly
• Contact their regional contractor if claims are initially denied so they can be reprocessed

The Takeaway for Military Families

The biggest risk is not missing paperwork. It is assuming that the TRICARE system works automatically. TRICARE coverage for newborns depends on two simple, time-sensitive actions:

1. Register your baby in DEERS.
2. Then confirm enrollment in the correct TRICARE plan.

Completing both steps within the required window ensures your newborn’s coverage continues seamlessly from the first day of their life. Congratulations on your growing family!

Suggested reads:

• 2025 Military Family Survey: Housing Costs, Childcare & Employment Remain Top Concerns
• TRICARE Prime Families Can Now Access Virtual Urgent Care: What This New Pathway Means
• Free Military Resources For New Parents: Your Complete Guide to Support and Services