Defense Health Agency (DHA)
Death notification, 6 survivor benefits, and required documents
OverviewWhen someone dies
DMDC/DEERS Support Office
Phone1-800-538-9552
Fax1-800-336-4416
Mailing Address
DMDC/DEERS Support Office, 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA 93955-6771
WebsiteVisit website→
Continued Health Care Benefit Program (Humana Military)
Phone1-800-444-5445
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
DMDC/DEERS Support Office (fax death certificate)
Phone1-800-538-9552
Fax1-800-336-4416
Mailing Address
DMDC/DEERS Support Office, 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA 93955-6771
WebsiteLearn more →
Verified Jul 2026
The Defense Health Agency operates TRICARE, the civilian-network healthcare program of the Military Health System. When a uniformed service member or retiree (the "sponsor") dies, TRICARE continues to cover surviving spouses and children — but the plan type, cost, and length of coverage depend on whether the sponsor died on active duty or as a retiree. Surviving spouses keep TRICARE unless they remarry. Children remain covered until they age out. Families who lose TRICARE eligibility (for example, a remarrying spouse or an aging-out child) may purchase the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) as a bridge plan.
Death notification
You do not have to report the sponsor's death to DEERS directly — the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) receives the information from the Social Security Administration and the uniformed services and updates medical and dental coverage automatically. You only need to report the death separately to the TRICARE pharmacy contractor, Express Scripts. If you prefer to notify DMDC directly (to speed processing), you can visit a local Uniformed Services ID card office, fax a copy of the death certificate to 800-336-4416, or mail it to the DMDC/DEERS Support Office in Seaside, California. After the death, you have a 90-day qualifying life event window to change your TRICARE health plan.
Deadline: 90 days from the date of death to change TRICARE health plans (qualifying life event window); CHCBP enrollment must occur within 60 days of losing TRICARE eligibility
Survivor benefits
The DHA offers 6 benefits for surviving family members.
Transitional Survivor Coverage (Active Duty Sponsor)
If the sponsor died on active duty, surviving spouses and children remain covered as "active duty family members" for three years following the death. During this transitional survivor period, health plan options and out-of-pocket costs do not change from what the family had while the sponsor was alive — they can choose TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, US Family Health Plan, or TRICARE For Life (if Medicare-eligible). Transitional survivors are also eligible for active-duty-only programs such as the Extended Care Health Option.
Amount: Same costs as active-duty family members during the 3-year transitional period
Survivor Coverage (After 3-Year Transitional Period)
After three years, surviving spouses of active-duty deaths transition to the cost structure of a retired family member. Children remain covered as "active duty family members" until they age out or otherwise lose eligibility. DEERS reflects the change automatically and surviving spouses receive a letter from DEERS before the status change. Available plans after transition: TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, TRICARE Select Overseas, US Family Health Plan, or TRICARE For Life (if Medicare-eligible).
Amount: Retired family member cost structure (enrollment fees, copays, and cost shares apply)
Survivor Coverage (Retired Sponsor)
If the sponsor died as a retiree, surviving spouses remain eligible for TRICARE at retiree cost levels with no change in plan or premiums upon the sponsor's death. Coverage continues unless the spouse remarries (and remarriage to another active-duty or retired service member preserves coverage). Children remain eligible until they age out. Plan options: TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, TRICARE Select Overseas, US Family Health Plan, or TRICARE For Life (if Medicare-eligible).
Amount: Same retiree cost structure as before the sponsor's death
TRICARE Dental Program Survivor Benefit Plan
Surviving family members of active-duty deaths are eligible for the TRICARE Dental Program Survivor Benefit Plan. The government pays 100% of monthly premiums while enrolled. Family members already enrolled in the TDP are automatically rolled into the Survivor Benefit Plan. Surviving spouses not previously enrolled may enroll for three years following the sponsor's death; children may enroll until they lose TRICARE eligibility. After three years, surviving spouses may be eligible for dental coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
Amount: Premium-free for 3 years (government pays 100%)
Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)
CHCBP is a premium-based bridge plan administered by Humana Military that provides the same coverage as TRICARE Select (including prescriptions) for family members who have lost TRICARE eligibility. It meets the Affordable Care Act minimum essential coverage requirement. Dependent spouses and children who lose TRICARE coverage are eligible for up to 36 months of CHCBP; unremarried former spouses may qualify for additional coverage. Enrollment must occur within 60 days of losing TRICARE eligibility.
Amount: Premium-based; contact Humana Military for current rates
TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) for Surviving Children
An unmarried adult child of a deceased sponsor may purchase TRICARE Young Adult coverage when they turn 21 (or 23 if a full-time student) if they do not have their own employer-sponsored health insurance and the sponsor had TRICARE at the time of death. TYA is a premium-based plan.
Amount: Premium-based; published annually by DHA
When someone dies
Notifying the DHA after a death
7-step process, 5 required documents, and 6 survivor benefits.
View details →Frequently asked questions
The Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) is a premium-based bridge plan administered by Humana Military for family members who have lost TRICARE eligibility — for example, a surviving spouse who remarries someone other than an active-duty or retired service member, or an adult child who ages out of TRICARE. It provides the same coverage as TRICARE Select for up to 36 months for dependents. Enrollment must occur within 60 days of losing TRICARE eligibility by submitting DD Form 2837 to Humana Military.
Yes — if a surviving spouse remarries, TRICARE coverage ends. The exception is remarriage to another active-duty or retired service member, which preserves TRICARE eligibility through the new sponsor. A surviving spouse who loses TRICARE through remarriage may enroll in CHCBP within 60 days for up to 36 months of bridge coverage.
DMDC/DEERS Support Office
Phone1-800-538-9552
Fax1-800-336-4416
Mailing Address
DMDC/DEERS Support Office, 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA 93955-6771
WebsiteVisit website→
Continued Health Care Benefit Program (Humana Military)
Phone1-800-444-5445
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
DMDC/DEERS Support Office (fax death certificate)
Phone1-800-538-9552
Fax1-800-336-4416
Mailing Address
DMDC/DEERS Support Office, 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA 93955-6771
WebsiteLearn more →
Verified Jul 2026