The passage of the Health Care Reform Act, which requires insurers to provide coverage for dependent children up to age 26, has left many TRICARE beneficiaries asking what that would mean to their older dependent children since the current age limit for TRICARE is 21, or age 23 if the child is a full-time student.
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is reporting that Defense Department officials estimate the expansion will cost each member $2,400 per year to cover each child over age 21 (or 23). This is provision would be unique to TRICARE and would not be imposed on non-military parents using commercial health care insurance. DoD officials say they have to charge a separate premium because they can't spread the cost among other beneficiaries as civilian insurers do.
MOAA and The Military Coalition are working to convince Congress to not impose this military-unique premium.
You can help MOAA and The Military Coalition with this effort by contacting your elected officials. Click here to let them know how you feel about this proposed special premium.
