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My husband and I are just starting out and have filled out the preliminary applications for a special needs child in Korea. Our paperwork will move along pretty quickly because he is on a waiting child list so we are trying to get documents together now. One of the things we know we'll need is proof that he will be covered under Tricare from the day he arrives. Has anyone had experience with a Korea adoption (the adoption isn't final until 6 months after he arrives.) I have printed the DD Form 1172 but don't see how that is proof that he will have medical insurance?! What do I need to show the agency that he will be covered? From what I understand, there isn't a problem with Tricare coverage for a child that is pending adoption but when I talked to Tricare, then DEERS, then the ID card facility today, nobody seemed to have answers to my questions. Can anyone help me? Anyone have information out there?
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We adopted our daughter thru foster/adopt in our county. Once she was placed with us at birth she was covered (her adoption was not final for over a year) anyway, the information was in the TRICARE handbook. Some where in there it stated once a child is placed, pending adoption, you can enroll them into DEERS and then be covered by TRICARE. We just had to show MPF her placement fost/adopt form to enroll in DEERS and then went to TRICARE and started her up. I hope this helps.
Chris
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Good questions! I'm not sure what to do about that, either. We're in the process of adopting a 5 y.o. from Taiwan.
I did a google search on "Tricare adoption" and got these results that might help:
[url]http://forums.adoption.com/t120516.html[/url]
[url]http://www.triwest.com/mobilization/print_version/newborn.doc[/url]
[url]http://www.triwest.com/mobilization/maternity.asp[/url]
[url]http://tricareu.tricare.osd.mil/docs/Module3DEERS.doc[/url]
In a list of eligible family members:
"Children placed in the custody of a service member or former member, either by a court or by a recognized adoption agency, in anticipation of legal adoption by the member"
My husband just walked by and I asked him when we would register our son in DEERS and he said as soon as he gets here. LOL a man of many words!
We have adopted twice now. Once while we were still on active duty and the other while retired from active duty. We used Tricare (of course) while active and still use Tricare. In response to your question, you can go to your Personnel office and they will draft up an official letter for you stating that the child will be covered under Tricare. Best of Luck on your adoption!
Linda
Thanks! I was just going in circles yesterday. I guess I'll just call the adoption agency to make sure that I will have the right documentation from them to put him in DEERS and then call Tricare back and see if they can print me up a letter or some sort of documentation of coverage. I'll be going in circles again today, I'm sure.:rolleyes:
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You won't be able to enroll him into DEERS until after he is physically placed in your custody. However, TRICARE will still cover him for up to 90 days without being enrolled in DEERS. They follow the same proceedures they would use if you gave birth. Your husband's Personnel Office remains the best resource to tap into for additional information. TRICARE can't really do anything until placement occurs.
Linda
We have had difficulty with DEERS and Tricare with our adopted daughter. My husband is active duty Air Force.
First we were told that she was not covered at all until the adoption finalized. We went online and printed out information from the Tricare handbook and took that to the enrollment office.
Then we were told they would cover her if we had a copy of her birth certificate but she would have to be enrolled under the name on her birth certificate. We got a copy of the birth certificate and now she is finally covered.
They will change her name once the adoption finalizes and we have a new birth certificate.
I am happy about the coverage but hate the fact that she is called by her birth name. It is a pretty horrible (very unusual) name but oh well. At least she is covered now.
I must mention though had we not fought it she would not be covered. It made no sense!
Cricket,
You shouldn't have had to put her under her birth name. The only thing that tricare asked us for was something from the agency that said we are her legal guardians until the adoption is final and what her name will be. I think you got a bum representative! Even if you went through a lawyer, he could have written something up for you.
Linda
DEERS wouldn't write us the letter we needed for proof of insurance post placement and neither would Tricare so I talked to the agency and our social worker agreed to just accept the marked page in the Tricare handbook where it states that our child will be covered as soon as he gets here. Thank goodness! Boy did they give me the run around!
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Since TRICARE by definition isn't medical insurance - it's an entitled benefit - they cannot ever by law say that someone will or will not be covered 'in advance'. Coverage is, however, dictated by Federal Law, very clearly and uncontestable.
You can also cite this:
[url]http://www.tricare.osd.mil/policy/fy96/benef57.html[/url]
[url]http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/Deers/Resource/messages/crtgram/CRTHistoricalEvent/IDCardEligibilityForWardsCRT.htm[/url]
[url]http://www.military.com/Resources/ResourcesContent/0,13964,30815,00.html[/url]
The KEY when the sponsor goes to DEERS to enroll your child will be to say they are a 'pre-adoptive' ward, and not just a 'regular' ward- this is a special category of eligibility. You'll need to have your court decree stating you're legal guardians with intent to adopt to do so.
Be patient, not every DEERS office understands what this is.
HTH, best of luck,
Regina, AMom to Ryan Joshua Thomas