Bill would let military families keep TRICARE past employer coverage bar

What does this do?

HR 4768 would remove two restrictions from TRICARE Young Adult, the program that covers military family members up to age 26. First, it would eliminate the rule that bars enrollment when a young adult has access to employer-sponsored health insurance. Second, it would remove the separate monthly premium that young adults currently pay out of pocket to participate in the plan.

Who does it affect?

The bill affects service members and veterans who have adult children between roughly 21 and 26 years old. Those young adult dependents would be directly affected by both the eligibility change and the elimination of their out-of-pocket premium.

Why does it matter?

Under current law, young adults must choose between employer-offered insurance and TRICARE Young Adult, and must pay a separate monthly premium for TRICARE coverage. Removing these requirements would change the conditions under which military families access and pay for health coverage for adult dependents.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• Young adults now pay a monthly premium
• Bill eliminates that out-of-pocket charge
• Coverage would become free to the dependent