Falls Church, VA, May 12, 2020 -  Is your ID card expiring soon? The Department of Defense (DoD) is temporarily allowing:

• Common Access Card (CAC) holders to renew an unexpired card’s credentials online using the ID Card Office Online.

• Uniformed Services ID cardholders to continue to present a card that expired on or after Jan. 1, 2020 to get care and fill your prescriptions.

This is part of DoD’s ongoing effort to keep military and civilian personnel safe during the pandemic.

Common Access Cards

A CAC is the ID card for active duty service members, Selected Reserve, and certain others. The online renewal option for CAC cards provides access through Sept. 30. To be eligible, you must meet all the requirements below:

• Your CAC expires on or after April 16 and is within 30 days of its expiration.

• Your CAC is unexpired when you try to update the certificate online.

• You have an active affiliation that extends past your ID card expiration date.

   

You can find step-by-step instructions on how to update your certificate on the CAC Coronavirus website. With an updated certificate, you can continue to access your TRICARE benefit.

Uniformed Services ID

A Uniformed Services ID card is for military retirees or military family members. Uniformed Services ID card lets you access your TRICARE benefits. To continue using a card that expired on or after Jan. 1, 2020, you need to have an active affiliation to DoD and be eligible for benefits. You can continue using your Uniformed Services ID card with an expired date through Sept. 30.

If you’re new to TRICARE and enrolling a family member or yourself for the first time, you can mail, fax, or email your paperwork to your nearest ID card issuing facility. You must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to access your TRICARE benefits. Remember to keep your information in DEERS up to date.

To learn more about DoD’s response to COVID-19 and how it affects your ID cards, visit the Coronavirus CAC page. To learn more about TRICARE coverage and options, visit the Compare Plans tool. Take command of your health and make sure you’re getting the care you need.

Sign up for email alerts, and keep up with TRICARE and COVID-19 updates