My wife or girlfriend is pregnant and I want to join the Navy. Will TRICARE cover the pregnancy?
TL;DR — Quick Answer
If you are legally married, your spouse becomes eligible for TRICARE on your first day of active duty (the day you ship to boot camp). Girlfriends are NOT covered — TRICARE only covers legal dependents. Marriage before shipping is the critical step. Coverage is not retroactive to before your enlistment date.
Wife vs. girlfriend: the critical legal distinction
TRICARE is a federal health insurance program that covers service members and their legal dependents. A legal dependent means a spouse (through marriage) or a child. A girlfriend, regardless of how long you have been together or whether she is carrying your child, is NOT a legal dependent and cannot be enrolled in TRICARE. If your girlfriend is pregnant and you want her pregnancy covered, you must legally marry her before your ship date. There is no exception, waiver, or workaround for this requirement. Once the baby is born, the child IS your dependent (with proof of paternity) and can be enrolled in TRICARE even if you are not married to the mother.
When does TRICARE coverage actually start?
Your TRICARE coverage begins on your first day of active duty, which is the day you ship to boot camp from MEPS. Your spouse is eligible for TRICARE starting that same day. However, "eligible" and "enrolled" are different things. You must complete enrollment paperwork (DEERS registration) for your spouse to actually use the coverage. This paperwork is typically processed during the first week of boot camp when you fill out your dependent enrollment forms. Until the DEERS registration is processed, your spouse can still receive care at military treatment facilities or use TRICARE by showing proof of your active duty status and your marriage certificate. Coverage is NOT retroactive — medical expenses incurred before your active duty start date are not covered by TRICARE.
How to register your spouse in DEERS before you ship
The smartest move is to register your spouse in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) before you ship to boot camp. Your recruiter can help you do this at the recruiting office or at MEPS. You will need: your marriage certificate, your spouse's Social Security card, and her government-issued photo ID. If you complete DEERS enrollment before shipping, your spouse can begin using TRICARE immediately on your first day of active duty without any gap. If you do not do this before shipping, the paperwork will be processed during boot camp, but there may be a 2-4 week delay before her TRICARE ID card arrives. During this gap, she can still get care by calling TRICARE directly and providing your information.
What TRICARE covers for pregnancy
TRICARE covers pregnancy comprehensively for enrolled dependents: all prenatal visits, lab work, ultrasounds, delivery (vaginal or C-section), postpartum care, and newborn care. Under TRICARE Prime (which most active duty families use), there are zero out-of-pocket costs for maternity care at military treatment facilities and minimal costs at civilian providers in the network. TRICARE Standard/Extra may have cost-shares but they are significantly lower than civilian insurance. Prescription prenatal vitamins are also covered. The total cost of a pregnancy and delivery under TRICARE is typically $0 to a few hundred dollars, compared to $5,000-$15,000+ without insurance. Use the [pay calculator](/pay) to see how BAH and other allowances affect your total compensation as a married sailor.
Can I take leave for the birth of my child during training?
During boot camp (8 weeks), you cannot take leave for any reason except emergency leave, which requires Red Cross notification and command approval. The birth of a child is generally not approved as emergency leave from boot camp unless there are life-threatening complications. During A-School, policies vary by command, but the Navy currently authorizes 21 days of Paternity Leave (non-chargeable) for the birth or adoption of a child. This leave must be taken within one year of the birth. Most A-School commands will work with you to take paternity leave, but the timing depends on your class schedule and may require you to roll to the next class. Check the [training pipeline](/rates) for your specific rate to understand how long A-School lasts and plan accordingly.
What if my girlfriend is pregnant but we are not married?
If you are not married, your girlfriend has zero TRICARE eligibility. Her pregnancy costs will not be covered by the military. Your options are: (1) Get married before your ship date — this immediately makes her a dependent eligible for TRICARE. (2) She uses her own insurance, Medicaid, or state programs to cover the pregnancy independently. (3) After the baby is born, you establish paternity and enroll the child in DEERS — the baby becomes your dependent and gets TRICARE coverage from that point forward, even if you never marry the mother. Many recruits in this situation choose to get legally married at the courthouse before shipping specifically to secure TRICARE coverage for the pregnancy. This is a common and practical decision. Discuss the timeline with your [recruiter](/recruiters) to make sure the paperwork is complete before your ship date.
Will my medical expenses be reimbursed from day one of boot camp?
TRICARE coverage for your spouse begins on your active duty start date (ship date), not before. Any medical expenses your spouse incurred before that date — even if she was pregnant — are not covered or reimbursable by TRICARE. From your ship date forward, covered services are eligible for payment by TRICARE. If your spouse receives care on or after your ship date but before her DEERS enrollment is fully processed, she can submit those claims retroactively to TRICARE for reimbursement. Keep all receipts and Explanation of Benefits statements. Contact TRICARE at 1-800-444-5445 to file retroactive claims for services received during the enrollment processing gap. The [BAH calculator](/pay) shows your housing allowance as a married sailor, which starts on your first day of boot camp.
Timeline checklist: what to do before you ship
Here is the recommended timeline if your wife or girlfriend is pregnant and you are joining the Navy: (1) If not married, get legally married at the courthouse — do this as early as possible before your ship date. (2) Bring your marriage certificate to your recruiter immediately after the ceremony. (3) Ask your recruiter to help you register your spouse in DEERS before you ship. You need: marriage certificate, her SSN, and her photo ID. (4) Ensure your spouse has a copy of your enlistment contract, your SSN, and the TRICARE phone number (1-800-444-5445). (5) Select TRICARE Prime during your boot camp enrollment paperwork. (6) Have your spouse call TRICARE after your ship date to confirm enrollment and get her benefits card. (7) Start [comparing Navy rates](/rates) to find the best career fit while considering your new family responsibilities — the [family impact page](/family) ranks duty stations by family-friendliness.
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