---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 1072"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "1072"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/1072"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — General Military Law"
  - "Part II — Personnel"
  - "Chapter 55 — Medical and Dental Care"
---

# §1072. Definitions


In this chapter:

- (1) The term “uniformed services” means the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4) and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and of the Public Health Service.
- (2) The term “dependent”, with respect to a member or former member of a uniformed service, means—
  - (A) the [spouse](/usc/10/101.md?p=g-5);
  - (B) the unremarried widow;
  - (C) the unremarried widower;
  - (D) a [child](#6) who—
    - (i) has not attained the age of 21;
    - (ii) has not attained the age of 23, is enrolled in a full-time course of study at an institution of higher learning approved by the administering [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) and is, or was at the time of the member’s or former member’s death, in fact [dependent](#2) on the member or former member for over one-half of the [child](#6)’s support; or
    - (iii) is incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical incapacity that occurs while a [dependent](#2) of a member or former member under clause [(i)](#2-D-i) or [(ii)](#2-D-ii) and is, or was at the time of the member’s or former member’s death, in fact [dependent](#2) on the member or former member for over one-half of the [child](#6)’s support;
  - (E) a parent or parent-in-law who is, or was at the time of the member’s or former member’s death, in fact [dependent](#2) on him for over one-half of his support and residing in his household;
  - (F) the unremarried former [spouse](/usc/10/101.md?p=g-5) of a member or former member who (i) on the date of the final decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment, had been married to the member or former member for a period of at least 20 years during which period the member or former member performed at least 20 years of service which is creditable in determining that member’s or former member’s eligibility for retired or retainer [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15), or equivalent [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15), and (ii) does not have medical coverage under an employer-sponsored health plan;
  - (G) a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) who (i) is the unremarried former [spouse](/usc/10/101.md?p=g-5) of a member or former member who performed at least 20 years of service which is creditable in determining the member or former member’s eligibility for retired or retainer [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15), or equivalent [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15), and on the date of the final decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment before April 1, 1985, had been married to the member or former member for a period of at least 20 years, at least 15 of which, but less than 20 of which, were during the period the member or former member performed service creditable in determining the member or former member’s eligibility for retired or retainer [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15), and (ii) does not have medical coverage under an employer-sponsored health plan;
  - (H) a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) who would qualify as a [dependent](#2) under clause (G) but for the fact that the date of the final decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment of the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) is on or after April 1, 1985, except that the term does not include the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) after the end of the one-year period beginning on the date of that final decree; and
  - (I) an unmarried [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) who—
    - (i) is placed in the legal custody of the member or former member as a result of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction in the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) (or possession of the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1)) for a period of at least 12 consecutive months;
    - (ii) either—
      - (I) has not attained the age of 21;
      - (II) has not attained the age of 23 and is enrolled in a full time course of study at an institution of higher learning approved by the administering [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3); or
      - (III) is incapable of self support because of a mental or physical incapacity that occurred while the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) was considered a [dependent](#2) of the member or former member under this subparagraph pursuant to subclause [(I)](#2-I-ii-I) or [(II)](#2-I-ii-II);
    - (iii) is [dependent](#2) on the member or former member for over one-half of the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2)’s support;
    - (iv) resides with the member or former member unless separated by the necessity of [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) service or to receive institutional care as a result of disability or incapacitation or under such other circumstances as the administering [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) may by regulation prescribe; and
    - (v) is not a [dependent](#2) of a member or a former member under any other subparagraph.
- (3) The term “administering Secretaries” means the [Secretaries](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of executive [departments](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) specified in [section 1073 of this title](/usc/10/1073.md) as having responsibility for administering this chapter.
- (4) The term “Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services” means the [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) authorized under sections [1079](/usc/10/1079.md) and [1086](/usc/10/1086.md) of this title and [includes](/usc/10/101.md?p=g-4) contracts entered into under section [1091](/usc/10/1091.md) or [1097](/usc/10/1097.md) of this title and demonstration projects under [section 1092 of this title](/usc/10/1092.md).
- (5) The term “covered beneficiary” means a beneficiary under this chapter other than a beneficiary under [section 1074(a) of this title](/usc/10/1074.md?p=a).
- (6) The term “child”, with respect to a member or former member of a uniformed service, means the following:
  - (A) An unmarried legitimate [child](#6).
  - (B) An unmarried adopted [child](#6).
  - (C) An unmarried stepchild.
  - (D) An unmarried [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2)—
    - (i) who is placed in the home of the member or former member by a placement [agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3) (recognized by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense), or by any other source authorized by [State](/usc/10/4951.md?p=4) or local law to provide adoption placement, in anticipation of the legal adoption of the [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) by the member or former member; and
    - (ii) who otherwise meets the requirements specified in [paragraph (2)(D)](#2-D).
- (7) The term “TRICARE program” means the various [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) carried out by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense under this chapter and any other provision of law providing for the furnishing of medical and dental care and health benefits to members and former members of the [uniformed services](#1) and their [dependents](#2), including the following health plan options:
  - (A) [TRICARE Prime](#14).
  - (B) [TRICARE Select](#12).
  - (C) [TRICARE for Life](#13).
- (8) The term “custodial care” means treatment or services, regardless of who recommends such treatment or services or where such treatment or services are provided, that—
  - (A) can be rendered safely and reasonably by a [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) who is not medically skilled; or
  - (B) is or are designed mainly to help the patient with the activities of daily living.
- (9) The term “domiciliary care” means care provided to a patient in an institution or homelike [environment](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) because—
  - (A) providing support for the activities of daily living in the home is not available or is unsuitable; or
  - (B) members of the patient’s family are unwilling to provide the care.
- (10) The term “health care” [includes](/usc/10/101.md?p=g-4) mental health care.
- (11) The term “TRICARE Extra” means the preferred-provider option of the [TRICARE program](#7) made available prior to January 1, 2018, under which [TRICARE Standard](#15) beneficiaries may obtain discounts on cost sharing as a result of using TRICARE network providers.
- (12) The term “TRICARE Select” means the self-managed, preferred-provider network option under the [TRICARE program](#7) established by [section 1075 of this title](/usc/10/1075.md).
- (13) The term “TRICARE for Life” means the Medicare wraparound coverage option of the [TRICARE program](#7) made available to the beneficiary by reason of [section 1086(d) of this title](/usc/10/1086.md?p=d).
- (14) The term “TRICARE Prime” means the managed care option of the [TRICARE program](#7).
- (15) The term “TRICARE Standard” means the [TRICARE program](#7) made available prior to January 1, 2018, covering health benefits contracted for under the authority of section [1079(a)](/usc/10/1079.md?p=a) or [1086(a)](/usc/10/1086.md?p=a) of this title and subject to the same [rates](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-9) and conditions as apply to [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) covered under those sections.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 85–861, § 1(25)(B), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1446; amended Pub. L. 89–614, § 2(1), Sept. 30, 1966, 80 Stat. 862; Pub. L. 89–718, § 8(a), Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1117; Pub. L. 96–513, title I, § 115(b), title V, § 511(34)(A), (35), (36), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2877, 2922, 2923; Pub. L. 97–252, title X, § 1004(a), Sept. 8, 1982, 96 Stat. 737; Pub. L. 98–525, title VI, § 645(a), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2548; Pub. L. 98–557, § 19(1), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2869; Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title VII, § 701(b), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3898; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title VII, § 731(a), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1481; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title VII, § 706, Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2433; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title VII, § 702(a), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1686; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title VII, § 701(a), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2797; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title VII, § 711, Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1808; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VII, § 701(c), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1160; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, § 592(b), title X, § 1057(a)(2), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3280, 3440; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VII, § 708(a), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 190; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VII, § 701(j)(1)(A), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2191; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VII, § 739(a), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1446.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 1072(1)<br>1072(2) | 37:402(a)(1).<br>37:402(a)(4). | June 7, 1956, ch. 374, § 102(a)(1), (4), 70 Stat. 250. |

In clause (1), the words “the armed forces” are substituted for the words “the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard” to reflect section 101(4) of this title.

In clause (2), the words “or to a person who died while a member or retired member of a uniformed service” and “lawful” are omitted as surplusage. The word “former” is substituted for the word “retired”, since a retired member or a member of the Fleet Reserve or the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve is already included as a “member” of an armed force.

Clause (2)(E) combines 37:402(a)(4)(E) and (G).

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 1072, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 81, defined terms used in former sections 1071 to 1086 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 85–861, § 36B(5), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1570, as superseded by the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 which is classified to subchapter I–D (§ 1973cc et seq.) of chapter 20 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

### Amendments

2017—Par. (15). Pub. L. 115–91 amended par. (15) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (15) read as follows: “The term ‘TRICARE Standard’ means the TRICARE program made available prior to January 1, 2018, covering—

“(A) medical care to which a dependent described in section 1076(a)(2) of this title is entitled; and

“(B) health benefits contracted for under the authority of section 1079(a) of this title and subject to the same rates and conditions as apply to persons covered under that section.”

2016—Par. (7). Pub. L. 114–328, § 701(j)(1)(A)(i), added par. (7) and struck out former par. (7) which read as follows: “The term ‘TRICARE program’ means the managed health care program that is established by the Department of Defense under the authority of this chapter, principally section 1097 of this title, and includes the competitive selection of contractors to financially underwrite the delivery of health care services under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services.”

Pars. (11) to (15). Pub. L. 114–328, § 701(j)(1)(A)(ii), added pars. (11) to (15).

2008—Par. (10). Pub. L. 110–181 added par. (10).

2006—Par. (2)(I)(i). Pub. L. 109–163, § 1057(a)(2), struck out “or a Territory” before “or possession”.

Par. (6)(D)(i). Pub. L. 109–163, § 592(b), inserted “, or by any other source authorized by State or local law to provide adoption placement,” after “(recognized by the Secretary of Defense)”.

2001—Pars. (8), (9). Pub. L. 107–107 added pars. (8) and (9).

1997—Par. (7). Pub. L. 105–85 added par. (7).

1994—Par. (2)(D). Pub. L. 103–337, § 701(a)(1), substituted “a child who” for “an unmarried legitimate child, including an adopted child or stepchild, who” in introductory provisions.

Par. (6). Pub. L. 103–337, § 701(a)(2), added par. (6).

1993—Par. (2)(I). Pub. L. 103–160 added subpar. (I).

1992—Par. (2)(D). Pub. L. 102–484 added subpar. (D) and struck out former subpar. (D) which read as follows: “an unmarried legitimate child, including an adopted child or a stepchild, who either—

“(i) has not passed his twenty-first birthday;

“(ii) is incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical incapacity that existed before that birthday and is, or was at the time of the member’s or former member’s death, in fact dependent on him for over one-half of his support; or

“(iii) has not passed his twenty-third birthday, is enrolled in a full-time course of study in an institution of higher learning approved by the administering Secretary and is, or was at the time of the member’s or former member’s death, in fact dependent on him for over one-half of his support;”.

1989—Par. (2)(H). Pub. L. 101–189 added subpar. (H).

1986—Par. (1). Pub. L. 99–661, § 701(b)(1), substituted “The term ‘uniformed services’ means” for “ ‘Uniformed services’ means”.

Par. (2). Pub. L. 99–661, § 701(b)(2), substituted “The term ‘dependent’, with respect to” for “ ‘Dependent’, with respect to”.

Par. (3). Pub. L. 99–661, § 701(b)(3), substituted “The term ‘administering Secretaries’ means” for “ ‘Administering Secretaries’ means”.

Pars. (4), (5). Pub. L. 99–661, § 701(b)(4), added pars. (4) and (5).

1984—Par. (2)(D)(iii). Pub. L. 98–557, § 19(1)(A), substituted reference to the administering Secretary for reference to the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Par. (2)(G). Pub. L. 98–525 added subpar. (G).

Par. (3). Pub. L. 98–557, § 19(1)(B), added par. (3).

1982—Par. (2)(F). Pub. L. 97–252 added cl. (F).

1980—Pub. L. 96–513, § 511(34)(A), substituted in introductory material reference to this chapter for reference to sections 1071–1087 of this title.

Par. (1). Pub. L. 96–513, § 511(35), substituted “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration” for “Environmental Science Services Administration”.

Par. (2). Pub. L. 96–513, §§ 115(b), 511(36), substituted “spouse” for “wife” in cl. (A), struck out cl. (C) “the husband, if he is in fact dependent on the member or former member for over one-half of his support;”, redesignated cls. (D), (E), and (F) as (C), (D), and (E), respectively, in cl. (C) as so redesignated, struck out “, if, because of mental or physical incapacity he was in fact dependent on the member or former member at the time of her death for over one-half of his support” after “the unremarried widower”, and in cl. (D)(iii) as so redesignated, substituted “Health and Human Services” for “Health, Education, and Welfare”.

1966—Pub. L. 89–718 substituted “Environmental Science Services Administration” for “Coast and Geodetic Survey” in clause (1).

Pub. L. 89–614 substituted “1087” for “1085” in introductory phrase.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VII, § 701(k), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2193, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [enacting sections 1075 and 1075a of this title and amending this section and sections 1076d, 1076e, 1079a, 1095f, 1099, and 1110b of this title] shall apply with respect to the provision of health care under the TRICARE program beginning on January 1, 2018.”

### Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title VII, § 702(b), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1686, provided that: “Section 1072(2)(I) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to determinations of dependency made on or after July 1, 1994.”

### Effective Date of 1989 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title VII, § 731(d), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1482, provided that: The amendments made by this section [enacting section 1086a of this title and amending this section and sections 1076 and 1086 of this title] apply to a person referred to in section 1072(2)(H) of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), whose decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment becomes final on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 29, 1989]. The amendments made by this section shall also apply to a person referred to in such section whose decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment became final during the period beginning on September 29, 1988, and ending on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, as if the amendments had become effective on September 29, 1988.”

### Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–525, title VI, § 645(d), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2549, provided that: “The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) [amending this section and provisions set out as a note under section 1408 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under this section] shall be effective on January 1, 1985, and shall apply with respect to health care furnished on or after that date.”

### Effective Date of 1982 Amendment; Transition Provisions

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–252 effective Feb. 1, 1983, and applicable in the case of any former spouse of a member or former member of the uniformed services whether final decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment of marriage of former spouse and such member or former member is dated before, on, or after Feb. 1, 1983, see section 1006 of Pub. L. 97–252, set out as an Effective Date; Transition Provisions note under section 1408 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by section 115(b) of Pub. L. 96–513 effective Sept. 15, 1981, but the authority to prescribe regulations under the amendment by Pub. L. 96–513 effective on Dec. 12, 1980, and amendment by section 511(34)(A), (35), (36) of Pub. L. 96–513 effective Dec. 12, 1980, see section 701 of Pub. L. 96–513, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1966 Amendment

For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 89–614, see section 3 of Pub. L. 89–614, set out as a note under section 1071 of this title.

### Repeals

The directory language of, but not the amendment made by, Pub. L. 89–718, § 8(a), Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1117, cited as a credit to this section, was repealed by Pub. L. 97–295, § 6(b), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1314.

### Continuation of Individual Case Management Services for Certain Eligible Beneficiaries

Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VII, § 701(d), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1160, provided that: Notwithstanding the termination of the Individual Case Management Program by subsection (g) [amending section 1079 of this title and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 1077 of this title], the Secretary of Defense shall, in any case in which the Secretary makes the determination described in paragraph (2), continue to provide payment as if such program were in effect for home health care or custodial care services provided to an eligible beneficiary that would otherwise be excluded from coverage under regulations implementing chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code. The determination referred to in paragraph (1) is a determination that discontinuation of payment for services not otherwise provided under such chapter would result in the provision of services inadequate to meet the needs of the eligible beneficiary and would be unjust to such beneficiary. For purposes of this subsection, ‘eligible beneficiary’ means a covered beneficiary (as that term is defined in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code) who, before the effective date of this section [Dec. 28, 2001], was provided custodial care services under the Individual Case Management Program for which the Secretary provided payment.”

### Improvements in Administration of the TRICARE Program; Flexibility of Contracting

Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title VII, § 708(a), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1164, provided that: During the one-year period following the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 28, 2001], section 1072(7) of title 10, United States Code, shall be deemed to be amended by striking ‘the competitive selection of contractors to financially underwrite’. The terms and conditions of any contract to provide health care services under the TRICARE program entered into during the period described in paragraph (1) shall not be considered to be modified or terminated as a result of the termination of such period.”

### Transitional Provisions for Qualification for Conversion Health Policies; Preexisting Conditions

Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title VII, § 731(e), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1483, provided that: In the case of a person who qualified as a dependent under section 645(c) of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985 (Public Law 98–525; 98 Stat. 2549) [set out below], on September 28, 1988, the Secretary of Defense shall make a conversion health policy available for purchase by the person during the remaining period the person is considered to be a dependent under that section (or within a reasonable time after that period as prescribed by the Secretary of Defense). Purchase of a conversion health policy under paragraph (1) by a person shall entitle the person to health care for preexisting conditions in the same manner and to the same extent as provided by section 1086a(b) of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (b)), until the end of the one-year period beginning on the later of— the date the person is no longer qualified as a dependent under section 645(c) of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985; and the date of the purchase of the policy. For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘conversion health policy’ has the meaning given that term in section 1086a(c) of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (b)).”

### Dependent; Qualification as; Effective Date

Pub. L. 98–525, title VI, § 645(c), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2549, as amended by Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title VI, § 646, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3887; Pub. L. 100–271, § 1, Mar. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 45; Pub. L. 100–271, § 1, Mar. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 45, provided that a person who would qualify as a dependent under section 1072(2)(G) of title 10 but for the fact that the person’s final decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment was dated on or after Apr. 1, 1985, would be considered to be a dependent under such section until the later of (1) Dec. 31, 1988, and (2) the last day of the two-year period beginning on the date of such final decree, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title VI, § 651(b), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 1990, effective Sept. 29, 1988, or 30 days after the Secretary of Defense first makes available a conversion health policy (as defined in section 1076(f) of title 10), whichever is later.