The first years and months of your child’s life are very important for his or her development. We work with providers to ensure children of all abilities, including those with special healthcare needs, are able to grow and develop when their emotional, social and educational needs are met.
Once your baby has been enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), you may need to contact Humana Military at (800) 444-5445 to process the TRICARE enrollment if one of these circumstances applies to you:
Otherwise, newborns are auto-enrolled in TRICARE and you do not need to contact us.
Note: When you call, please say “enroll newborn” when prompted, and you will be directed to the correct representative.
Ideally, both parents should attend early well-child visits. These check-ups are an opportunity to form a relationship with the doctor as well as exchange questions and answers with one another. You will receive a wealth of information during these visits, so it is a good idea to prepare a list of questions or topics you would like to discuss to make sure you don’t forget anything important.
If only one parent can attend, ask a friend or relative to go along with you. Having someone there to assist with dressing and undressing your baby, carrying the diaper bag, holding doors, etc., will allow you to best focus on the visit, ensuring you fully understand the discussions with your doctor and any vital information addressed.
Regular check-ups to assess your baby’s development is the best way to determine if your baby is growing and developing as he or she should. Your pediatrician will measure many areas for developmental milestones.
Diaries
During the first two years of your baby’s life, you will spend more time at the doctor’s office than at any other time. Your baby’s mind and body are constantly changing and we are here to help navigate your questions and concerns about check-ups to milestones and everything between.
TRICARE covers well-child care for children under age six (from birth through age five).
During these “well-child visits” the doctor will check your child’s weight gain and growth, as well as their physical and mental development. These visits usually coincide with immunizations, but can coincide with other doctor’s visits. They also provide an opportunity to talk with the doctor and ask questions concerning the growth and care of your infant.
During the first year, well-child visits are scheduled at two-four weeks of age and at two, four, six, nine and 12 months of age. During the second year, well child visits are scheduled at 15, 18 and 24 months of age. In early childhood and beyond, doctors recommend yearly checkups. Birthdays provide a good milestone and a reminder to check in with the doctor for immunizations and to make sure your child is meeting developmental goals.
As your child grows and develops new skills and reaches new milestones, your well-child visits will change too.
Depending on your baby's age, be prepared to answer questions from your doctor about many topics including:
Before leaving, make sure to make your baby’s next well-child appointment to ensure you are not missing any important milestones or developments in your baby’s growth.
Your baby’s first year is full of milestones, changes and developments. Now that you have gone to your first well-child visit, follow-up appointments are just as essential and we are here to help guide you through your journey. Through our well-child diaries, you will find helpful, printable sheets to take to your pediatrician to monitor and take notes on everything about your baby.
Maximize your child’s TRICARE benefit
TRICARE will be with you to provide care and guidance as your child continues to grow and develop through childhood and beyond. Every child and every family is special and unique, as is the care you receive from your healthcare team. To review what to expect during a middle childhood visit, including possible testing and screening procedures (i.e. height and weight, blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements, etc.) see Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care from Bright Futures/American Academy of Pediatrics*
*Visits, procedures and examinations may vary depending on individual needs.
We’re with you throughout your journey
As your child begins the journey into adolescence, regular screenings and examinations remain important to growing and developing in an acceptable manner. Regular check-ups are an important part of lifelong preventive care as well as early diagnoses of chronic, developmental or other health issues. To review what to expect during an adolescent care visit, including possible testing and age-appropriate screening procedures (i.e. height and weight, blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements, etc.) see Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care from Bright Futures/American Academy of Pediatrics*
*Visits, procedures and examinations may vary depending on individual needs.
Developmental milestones, such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time and waving “bye-bye”, offer important clues about a child’s developmental health. Monitoring each child’s milestones will help determine if his or her development is on track. If there are potential signs of delay, early treatment is important to improve a child’s skills and abilities. With regular well-child visits, parents can work with their child's pediatrician to learn about next steps and any recommended services.
