Q. I'm a National Guard retiree about to turn 60. I also have a service-connected disability rated at 100 percent. The nearest VA hospital is three hours from my home and the nearest VA clinic I've been assigned to is inadequate. The local area medical network also does not want to bill VA, so when I need emergency or follow-up care, I'm told I must pay up front. Can I enroll in Tricare (in addition to the VA) when I turn 60?

A. Absolutely. "Gray area" reserve component retirees who become eligible for full military retirement benefits at age 60 may use Tricare Prime or Tricare Standard, then at age 65 may transition to Tricare For Life, with Medicare as first payer and Tricare Standard as backup secondary payer. That's contingent on proper registration in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Visit the ID Card/DEERS office on any military installation, or call the DEERS main support office in California at 800-538-9552. See more details on your Tricare options online.

Q. I've been on Tricare Young Adult for a few years under my military retiree father. I have several pre-existing conditions, one of which has caused the loss of my upper jaw, and I'm having the required rebuilding surgeries. My next surgery is coming up, but I'll turn 26 fairly soon. Will I lose my Tricare coverage on the day I turn 26, or at the end of the year I turn 26? I'm a minimum-wage worker, and no other insurance I can afford will be able to cover my expenses as well as Tricare does.

A. Tricare coverage officially ends on the day dependent children reach their 26th birthday. At that time, it's up to your father, as your military sponsor, to update your dependent status in his file by contacting the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System, the Defense Department's eligibility portal for military benefits. If he doesn't, and Tricare later realizes it paid for health care services for which you were no longer eligible, you and he may have potential problems.

Q. I was born and raised a military dependent of a Vietnam veteran and retiree. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 5. I've heard that due to my being diagnosed with a permanent medical condition as a child, I should be eligible for Tricare for the rest of my life. Is that right?

A. There are some scenarios in which disabled, dependent children of military health care beneficiaries may continue to qualify for Tricare coverage as adults beyond the normal age limits. Tricare doesn't make such determinations; only the military services may do that, through the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System. Eligibility details are online. You can also call the main DEERS support office at 800-538-9552.

Email tricarehelp@militarytimes.com. Include the word "Tricare" in the subject line and do not attach files.

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