FALLS CHURCH, Va. – When was the last time you checked to make sure your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System was up to date? If it’s been a while, it’s very important that you take the time to log into DEERS and review or update your information.
“DEERS plays a vital role in the administration and management of military health care benefits, supporting the needs of service members, veterans and their families,” said Regina Julien, deputy assistant secretary for medical operations at the Defense Health Agency. “It is essential that beneficiaries can update their information in DEERS to ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to.”
DEERS is a database of active duty military, veterans, and retirees. It also includes family members and others eligible for military benefits. DEERS shows whether you and your family are eligible and enrolled in TRICARE benefits. Not keeping your information up to date could result in delays in receiving medical care. Errors can also delay billing and prescription delivery.
However, DHA does not administer DEERS, so you are responsible for keeping your DEERS information up to date. Please check your DEERS record on the milConnect website to make sure your family’s information is accurate. If you find any inaccuracies, correct them immediately.
To find and manage your information in DEERS, follow these steps:
The first step is to review your DEERS records. You can do this on the milConnect website. What should you review? As stated in the TRICARE Qualifying Life Events Fact Sheet, your DEERS records provide other information such as your service status, family member status, and TRICARE coverage. You should review your contact information, such as phone numbers, addresses, and emails, and make sure they are up to date. You should also review each family member’s information to ensure their personnel, service, and eligibility status are accurate.
Please note that all family members must be enrolled in DEERS to receive TRICARE coverage. If you are a sponsor, you are automatically enrolled in DEERS, but you must enroll your eligible family members.
If you need to update or correct your DEERS record, the second step is to update it without delay. Sponsors and family members can update their contact information. Contact information includes phone number, mailing address, and email address. Options for updating contact information in DEERS are:
Online: Log in to the milConnect website Phone: 800-538-9552 (TTY/TDD: 866-363-2883) Fax: 800-336-4416 Email:
Defense Human Resources Data Center Support Office
Please note: COA
400 Giggling Road
Seaside, CA 93955-6771
If you need to add or remove family members, your sponsor must do so promptly and in person at the nearest ID Card Office. Call or go online to find out ID Card Office hours and make an appointment. Be sure to bring supporting documentation such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees. Only the sponsor can add or remove family members.
Throughout the year, changes may occur that require you to update your DEERS record, so the third step is to continue to update your information as changes occur. You can do this by updating your DEERS information every time a qualifying life event occurs.
A QLE “lifts” the 90-day period during which you can change your plan. Common examples of QLEs include:
Retirement or separation from active duty Marriage Birth or adoption Moving Becoming eligible for Medicare Joining or losing other health insurance
Following these steps will help you avoid interruptions to your TRICARE coverage. For more information, visit DEERS to Stay Healthy.
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