Does military insurance start upon enlisting?

When exactly does insurance coverage kick in if you enlist in the military? I'm wondering about the kinds of healthcare benefits and how soon I’d be covered once I start.

Once you enlist in the United States military, you are immediately eligible for health care benefits through TRICARE, the Department of Defense's health care program. TRICARE coverage provides comprehensive coverage for medical and dental care, which extends to all service members, including active duty personnel and reservists.

As soon as you enlist, your information is added to the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), which is basically a database for military beneficiaries. As long as you're listed in DEERS as an active duty service member, you have access to TRICARE. So, your insurance should be effective from your first day of active duty.

It's important to note however, that while TRICARE provides a wide range of benefits, like many insurance plans, it might not cover every conceivable health circumstance. Therefore, once your coverage is active, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with your plan details to understand what is covered and what isn't.

Before accessing these benefits, you should verify your DEERS registration as soon as you begin your active duty service. This ensures that there are no delays in receiving the TRICARE benefits to which you're entitled.

In terms of dental benefits, active duty military members are automatically enrolled in the active duty dental program also available through TRICARE. For family members of active duty service members, it's possible to get coverage through the TRICARE Dental Program, but this coverage isn't automatic and needs to be applied for separately. Remember to consider these needs as you plan your health care.

To summarize, you should be covered by military health insurance from your first day of active duty service, but always make sure to double-check your enrollment details upon enlisting.