As you prepare to separate from active duty next month, it’s essential to understand how your health insurance will change. Your Tricare Prime coverage will end, and you’ll need to explore alternative options to ensure continuous coverage for yourself and your family.
During terminal leave, your Tricare Prime coverage remains unchanged, and your family stays covered under their current plan. However, this changes when you officially separate from active duty. The Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) provides 180 days of free Tricare coverage after separation, but only for those who qualify, such as service members who separate involuntarily under honorable conditions or join the Selected Reserve immediately after active duty.
If you qualify for TAMP, you’ll keep Tricare Select coverage with no premiums, the same network, and the same rules. Prescription coverage and dental benefits will also continue. However, TAMP ends after 180 days, and you’ll need to arrange other coverage to avoid a gap. The Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) is a purchased Tricare coverage option that lasts 18 to 36 months, but it comes with quarterly premiums, which can be costly.
Reservists may qualify to purchase Tricare Reserve Select, which has lower monthly premiums compared to CHCBP. It’s crucial to compare costs and coverage options, including marketplace plans or employer insurance, before making a decision. Additionally, VA health care is not automatic, and you must apply to enroll. Eligibility depends on your service history, disability rating, income, and other factors.
To avoid gaps in coverage, it’s essential to figure out your health insurance before separating from active duty. Explore options like TAMP, CHCBP, TRS, employer insurance, or Health Insurance Marketplace plans. Gaps in coverage can be costly, so it’s crucial to stay on top of your veteran benefits and understand what you have, when it ends, and what comes next. Regularly checking for updates on military benefits, including pay and health care, can help you make informed decisions about your coverage.