TRICARE and Dependent Parents Published June 22, 2009 By Tyler Patterson TriWest Healthcare Alliance PHOENIX -- The extent of TRICARE coverage isn't limited to spouses and children. In some cases, it also covers family members, such as dependent parents and parents-in-law. The process to register your parents or parents-in-law as dependents varies by military branch. After a dependant parent's dependent status is confirmed, they will be eligible to receive a military ID card. With this, the parent gains to access care at a military treatment facility through their sponsoring servicemember's TRICARE benefit. Once approved, there are a few things to keep in mind when accessing care as a dependent parent: · Dependent parents and dependent parents-in-law receive care at an MTF on a space-available basis. They may not be able to secure an appointment when the MTF does not have available capacity. · Dependent parents and parents-in-law are not eligible for TRICARE pharmacy benefits outside of the MTF. They also cannot use TRICARE's Express Scripts pharmacy benefit in the civilian sector. · Dependent parents and parents-in-law are not eligible for TRICARE outside the MTF, any care received from a civilian provider must be covered by another form of insurance. Dependent parents and parents-in-law are not eligible for TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Standard or Extra or TRICARE For Life. They may only access care at an MTF to be covered by their sponsor's TRICARE benefit. For additional information, visit TRICARE's Dependent Parents page or contact a TriWest representative at 1-888-TRIWEST.