Expert: Eric Ernst - 10/3/2009

Question
My girlfriend just found out that she is pregnant with my child. We are not married at the present time but have talked about getting married. Is she entitled to any medical benefits? Also, her family has told her she can receive free medical care by going through the Health Dept in the state she lives in, we live in seperate states. If she does that, how will that effect me and my career as I am willing and able to support them but if she decides to not get married and go through DSS, what are my optins as a father.

Answer
Hello Steven,
Good question, first off you will have a financial obligation to the child, since you will have dependents your BAH will go up to help offset some of the cost of having dependents. As for medical care, the child will be taken care of through tri-care your girlfriend on the other hand will not. So you could be paying out of pocket for the medical expenses for her. Your best option here is to contact your legal department to get all of the information on that. I don't have any children or dependents so I can fully give you accurate information. Legal on the other hand is free and they can give you all of the information that will pertain to this. Legal is free to all military members.
I hope that this information helps.
Thanks,
Eric