Services Complete Indefinite ID Card Upgrades

A software upgrade has been completed at most military identification card issuing facilities, allowing eligible family members and surviving spouses to receive indefinite ID cards at age 75 upon expiration of current IDs.

The upgrade is scheduled to be completed at all bases by Oct. 7. Card issuing facilities are authorized to issue the new ID card within 90 days of expiration, as there will be no mass issuance, according to ID card management officials.

Eligibility rules for ID cards have not changed. TRICARE officials point out that the Military Health System requires all eligible beneficiaries to have a current ID card in order to receive health care.

Also, beneficiaries are reminded that their personal information must be current in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

Changes to sponsor's status, home address and family status (marriage, divorce, birth and adoption) are examples of information that needs to be properly maintained in DEERS.

The DEERS Support Office can be reached by telephone at 1-800-538-9552, or information can be found online at TRICARE.

For more information about the permanent retiree ID card or DEERS enrollment, beneficiaries may visit the TRICARE Website or call the TRICARE Regional Office (TRO) North (1-877-874-2273), the TRO South (1-800-444-5445), or TRO West (1-888-874-9378). Overseas beneficiaries can call 1-888-777-8343.

Beneficiaries can also find the nearest ID card issuing facility at www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/owa/home.