What does TRICARE cover for newborns?

You must register your newborn in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) within 90 days of birth in the U.S. (or 120 days overseas) to secure TRICARE coverage.

Step 1: Register in DEERS

• Deadline: 90 days for births in the U.S.; 120 days for births overseas.
• Where to go: A sponsor must visit a Uniformed Services ID card office.
• What to bring: Official birth certificate or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240). You do not need to wait for a Social Security number to register.

Step 2: Confirm or Enroll in a TRICARE Plan

• Active Duty Families (U.S.): Coverage is automatic after DEERS registration (Prime or Select depending on location). You have 90 days to change the plan if desired.
• Active Duty Families (Overseas): Automatically enrolled in TRICARE Select Overseas after DEERS registration; you can switch to Prime options within 90 days if command-sponsored.
• Retirees & Others: Newborns show as "Direct Care Only" or "No Coverage" until you actively enroll them in a plan (like TRICARE Select or Prime) within the 90/120-day window. Missing this deadline causes claims to be denied.

TRICARE covers one manual or standard electric breast pump, essential replacement supplies, and medically necessary infant formula per birth or adoption event.

Covered Breast Pumps & Supplies

• Pumps: One standard electric or manual breast pump is covered at 100% for eligible beneficiaries starting at 27 weeks of pregnancy or for adoptive parents inducing lactation. You can order through authorized medical suppliers like Baby Pavilion or 1 Natural Way with a prescription from an authorized provider. Luxury or deluxe upgrades are available if you pay the retail price difference.
• Accessories: Covered essentials include milk storage bags, replacement flanges, tubing, valves, and bottles.
• Hospital-Grade Pumps: Rental of a hospital-grade electric pump is covered only when prescribed for medical necessity (such as infant separation due to illness).
• Breastfeeding Counseling: Up to six individual outpatient lactation consultation sessions are covered per birth event.

Other Covered Baby & Maternity Items

• Medically Necessary Formula: Standard or specialized baby formula is covered only if a pediatrician or specialist diagnoses a specific medical condition or feeding tube requirement and writes a prescription.
• Compression Wear: Postpartum recovery garments and pregnancy support compression stockings may be covered, though non-active-duty plans may apply standard deductibles or coinsurance.

You can get free newborn baby items by signing up for online registry welcome boxes, manufacturer reward programs, and local community assistance networks.

Retailer Registry Welcome Boxes

• Amazon & Target: Create a baby registry and complete the minimum purchase and item requirements to receive welcome kits filled with travel-size products, diapers, and wipes.
• Walmart: Set up a Walmart Baby Registry and add at least 20 items to qualify for a curated sample box of essentials.
• Babylist: Build a registry and meet purchase thresholds to qualify for their Hello Baby box filled with bottles, pacifiers, and apparel samples.

Formula and Diaper Brand Perks

• Enfamil & Similac: Join rewards programs like Enfamil Family Beginnings or MySimilac Rewards for hundreds of dollars in free formula samples, checks, and coupons.
• Huggies & Pampers: Register on brand sites or download their apps to claim welcome offers, newborn diaper samples, and loyalty points.

Hospital and Medical Providers

• Hospital Stash: Ask your postpartum nursing staff for extra diapers, wipes, formula bottles, bulb syringes, and swaddling blankets before you are discharged.
• Pediatrician Office: Check with your baby's doctor during early visits for manufacturer samples of specialized formula, infant vitamins, and skincare items.
• Health Insurance: Contact your provider to order a free or heavily discounted breast pump under Affordable Care Act guidelines.

Local and Community Resources

• Buy Nothing Groups: Search Facebook or local neighborhood apps for hyper-local communities where parents give away outgrown clothes, gear, and toys for free.
• Diaper Banks: Locate regional help through the National Diaper Bank Network to source free monthly diaper supplies.
• WIC Program: Apply for the federal WIC Program through your local health department if you qualify financially to receive free infant formula and nutritional support.

TRICARE covers nearly all medically necessary prenatal care, labor, delivery, and postpartum services, but your exact out-of-pocket costs depend on your specific TRICARE plan and your sponsor's military status.

What is Covered

• Prenatal and Postpartum Care: Doctor visits, standard ultrasounds, lab tests, pelvic floor physical therapy, and postpartum checkups.
• Labor and Delivery: Hospital stays, C-sections, and pain management anesthesia. Standard stays are 48 hours for vaginal deliveries and 96 hours for C-sections.
• Newborn and Feeding Support: Newborn care is covered at $0, plus free breast pumps, supplies, and breastfeeding counseling.

Out-of-Pocket Costs by Plan

• Active Duty Family Members (Prime): You pay $0 for all covered maternity and newborn services.
• Retirees and Reserve/National Guard (Prime): You may have small fixed fees, such as a nominal hospital admission fee (around $158) or birthing center fee ($68).
• TRICARE Select: You pay standard network deductibles, copayments, or a daily hospital rate (roughly $25/day), up to your plan's catastrophic cap.

Steps After Birth

• DEERS Registration: You must register your newborn in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System within 90 days in the U.S. (or 120 days overseas) to keep continuous coverage.

TRICARE covers medically necessary labor and delivery services, including hospital stays, anesthesia, fetal monitoring, and cesarean sections.

Covered Labor & Delivery Services

• Hospital and Birth Center Care: Covers inpatient hospital stays and deliveries at TRICARE-certified birthing centers or planned home births in the U.S.
• Standard Hospital Stay Length: Covers at least 48 hours for a vaginal delivery and 96 hours for a C-section (longer if medical complications arise).
• Pain Management: Fully covers epidurals and other necessary anesthesia during labor.
• Cesarean Sections: Covered when medically necessary; elective C-sections for personal reasons may incur out-of-pocket costs.
• Postpartum & Support: Covers at least two postpartum checkups, breast pumps, and breastfeeding counseling.

Out-of-Pocket Costs

• Active Duty: Active duty service members and their family members enrolled in TRICARE Prime pay zero out-of-pocket costs for covered maternity care.
• TRICARE Select / Other Plans: Costs vary depending on your specific plan, sponsor status, and whether you use network or non-network providers.

For more details on specific options, you can read the official TRICARE Maternity Guide.