When do health benefits kick in with new recruits?

Capt Vance Noonan — Wed, 06 May 2020 19:37:58 -0400

My son is enlisting in the Marines and is attending MEPS next weekend. We got a notice that his Tricare health coverage through me will be cut as soon as he graduates and is no longer a full time student. I didn't have to go through MEPS, so I don't know the process for sure, but I think he'll sign his enlistment papers there (certainly before he graduates). It might be several months before he goes to boot camp. So when does his Tricare kick in? Surely this scenario plays out every year and surely the military takes care of the fine young men and women that have committed to enlist.

Response by A1C Brandon Sherwood made May 6 at 2020 7:56 PM

A1C Brandon Sherwood — Wed, 06 May 2020 19:56:49 -0400

Sir,

While it’s been a bit since I was in, I do believe tricare benefits kick in once you take an oath of enlistment. The first time through meps is testing and health checks. The second is finalizing physicals, weigh ins, and any job specific needs. If all clears, you then are in processed, take your oath of enlistment and finally prep for a flight that day or early the next day for basic. I do believe tricare coverage begins from that date forward, as that is you date of enlistment.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2020 8:18 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2020 20:18:42 -0400

Capt Vance Noonan Captain, the coverage would start at Boot Camp according to this link.

https://marineparents.com/marinecorps/health-insurance.asp

Health Insurance in the Marine Corps

Health insurance is just one of the many benefits offered in the Marine Corps. The health insurance offered to Marines has many complexities and at times can be confusing, and with that comes a lot of questions from parents.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2020 9:05 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2020 21:05:55 -0400

His benefits will kick in once he in processes at BCT. He’s not on active orders until the day he ships out to BCT.

Response by Capt Vance Noonan made May 6 at 2020 9:12 PM

Capt Vance Noonan — Wed, 06 May 2020 21:12:41 -0400

Thanks for the responses, everyone. It sounds like he's on his own until he ships out for basic. Hopefully that won't be too long. If it is, I guess he can sign up for some college classes to maintain his "full time student" status. Kind of jacked up IMO, but that's the military for ya.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 6 at 2020 10:36 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 06 May 2020 22:36:04 -0400

Once he is shipped out and headed to the designated recruit Depot he will be on the governments dime to include medical care.

Response by Capt Vance Noonan made May 7 at 2020 7:47 AM

Capt Vance Noonan — Thu, 07 May 2020 07:47:48 -0400

**UPDATE**
After some more discussion, it turns out that notice we received was termination of his life insurance coverage, NOT his Tricare coverage under my policy. He and my wife are still in San Diego while he finishes out high school and I got a job up in northern California, so I didn't read the notice myself. It was a rare mistake on my wife's part. She's brilliant and super competent. Tricare allows him to stay on my policy until 21 even if he's not a full time student.
Thanks again for all the responses!