Mom Gouge New Baby Admin Checklist 

1. Leave - DAFI 36-3003: Request AF 988 from PCM 

   • Convalescent Leave due to Pregnancy or Birth

     1. Begins day after discharge from hospital or similar facility (cannot take in increments or delay start of this leave period, but it may be taken in conjunction with MPLP)

     2. Typically 6 weeks/42 days (but can be extended by provider, ex. If had a C-Section, you may require longer recovery).

     1. Military Parental Leave Program (MPLP)

     1. 12-weeks non-chargeable leave authorized during the 1-year for both primary and secondary care giver for births and adoptions

     2. Entered as PTDY in LeaveWeb for Commander to approve

     3. Total of 84 days (12 weeks); May take in one full increment or in 7-day increments

     4. Exceptions listed in DAFI 36-3003 (ex. may take after 1-year if operationally deployed, etc.)

2. Documentation of baby in DEERS:

• Request from your nurse a Certificate of Live Birth to provide to your MPF (may not be necessary if you delivered at an MTF as they may have a more streamlined process than delivering off-base or if your state provides timely birth certificates)

• Set up appointment with your local servicing MPF to add baby in DEERS

1. Within 90 days CONUS, 120 days OCONUS; once registered, you have an additional 90 days to enroll in or change Tricare health plan

3. Medical

• Decide if you will enroll your baby in Tricare Prime or Select https://tricare.mil/Plans/ComparePlans. You can only change enrollment type during Open Season (~once per year) or after a Qualifying Life Event (childbirth, marriage, divorce, etc.)  https://tricare.mil/openseason

• Find a pediatrician (especially if Select or Prime with off-base referral) and set up well-baby visit within ~1 week of birth

1. Provider should, in good faith, delay billing until your child is fully enrolled in Tricare (update them once this is complete)

4. Childcare (CDC/FCC Enrollment)

• Militarychildcare.com update date of requested care

5. Fitness (not-urgent): Get an updated AF Form 469 from your PCM/BOMC and send to your UFPM to upload into MyFitness

• Next PFA 13 month after delivery

• Review DAFMAN 36-2905 “Members are prohibited from completing PFAs while pregnant, but are encouraged to maintain a physical fitness routine. Post-pregnancy PFA will be due the 13th month after delivery for a pregnancy lasting 20 weeks or more. (T-1). Medical Providers will make a determination recommendation for pregnancies fewer than 20 weeks.” 

6. PCS/Deploy/TDY Deferment: 12-months authorized (mother may waive)

• Refer to DAFI 36-2110

7. Notify your supervisor and/or commander. A commander will want to know when one of their members has a baby! Your commander is likely your Convalescent Leave approval authority. Don’t feel like you’re bothering them with the news! Plus, they may offer to set up a Meal Train or other support! 2.

8. Enroll in FSA/HCFSA for pre-tax benefits

• https://www.fsafeds.gov/

*This checklist is not all-encompassing, but hopefully a good starting-point as you enter into your motherhood journey. We are seeking your feedback on its content.