Several health care programs are available to help departing military service members keep insurance while transitioning into the civilian workforce. These programs are designed to meet specific needs based on duty status and transition circumstances. Some of these programs are long term, while others are temporary in nature and only provide coverage for up to three years.
In addition, these coverage plans often require you to pay a premium, cost shares, deductibles and co-pays.
Tricare's Transition Assistance Management Program
The Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) offers transitional Tricare coverage to certain separating active-duty members and their eligible family members. Care is available for only 180 days.
The four categories for TAMP eligibility are:
- Members involuntarily separated from active duty and their eligible family members
- National Guard and reserve members separated from active duty after being called up for an active-duty period of more than 30 days
- Members separated from active duty after being involuntarily retained in support of a contingency operation
- Members separated from active duty following a voluntary agreement to stay on active duty for less than one year in support of a contingency mission
Check out Tricare's TAMP web page to learn more about enrollment in this program.
Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)
After the TAMP eligibility expires, you or a family member may apply for temporary, transitional medical coverage under the Continued Health Care Benefit Program. CHCBP is a premium-based health care program providing medical coverage to a select group of former military beneficiaries. CHCBP is similar to, but not part of, Tricare. The CHCBP program extends health care coverage to the following individuals when they lose military benefits:
- The service member (who can also enroll his or her family members)
- Certain former spouses who have not remarried
- Certain children who lose military coverage
Humana Military Healthcare Services runs the program for DOD. Visit the Humana website for CHCBP applications and enrollment information.
CHCBP Basics
CHCBP is a health care program intended to provide you with continuous health care coverage on a temporary basis following your loss of military benefits. It acts as a “bridge” between your military health benefits and your new job’s medical benefits, so you and your family will receive continuous medical coverage.
Enrollment and Coverage
Eligible beneficiaries must enroll in CHCBP within 60 days following the loss of entitlement to the Military Health System. To enroll, you will be required to submit the following documentation:
- A completed DD Form 2837, Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) Application
- Documentation as requested on the enrollment form, such as DD Form 214, final divorce decree, DD Form 1173, copy of your ID card, etc.
- A premium payment for the first 90 days of health coverage
The premium rates are currently $1,813 per quarter for individuals and $4,539 per quarter for families. Humana Military will bill you for subsequent quarterly premiums through your period of eligibility once you are enrolled.
The program uses existing Tricare providers and follows most of the rules and procedures of the Tricare Select program. Depending on your beneficiary category, CHCBP coverage is limited to either 18 or 36 months as follows:
- 18 months for separating service members and their families
- 36 months for others who are eligible (In some cases, former spouses who have not remarried may continue coverage beyond 36 months if they meet certain criteria.)
Tricare for Retirees
All retired military service members are eligible for Tricare health care coverage. This includes eligible spouse and dependents. When you retire from active duty, you and your eligible family members will experience the Tricare benefit in a different way. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Remember that a change in status from active duty to retired requires updating your personal information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
- As a retiree under 65, you must decide which Tricare program is best for you and eligible family members. Your choices include Tricare Prime or Tricare Select.
Visit the Tricare Benefits section to learn more.
Tricare Reserve Select (TRS)
Members and former members of the National Guard and Reserve are able to purchase premium-based health care coverage under Tricare Reserve Select.
Tricare Reserve Select Eligibility
Service members may be eligible to purchase TRS for themselves and their immediate family members if they meet the following three conditions:
- If they were called or ordered to active duty under Title 10 in support of a contingency operation for more than 30 consecutive days on or after Sep. 11, 2001.
- They served continuously on active duty for 90 days or more.
- They must agree to serve in the Selected Reserves.
Check out our Tricare Reserve Select overview to learn more about the costs and benefits of this program.
Tricare Dental Coverage for Guard and Reserve
National Guard and Reserve members separating from active duty after an activation of greater than 30 days in support of a contingency operation are eligible for the Tricare Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP).
CHAMPVA
CHAMPVA (the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs) is a federal health benefits program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. CHAMPVA provides reimbursement for most medical expenses: inpatient, outpatient, mental health, prescription medication, skilled nursing care, and durable medical equipment. There is a very limited adjunct dental benefit that requires pre-authorization.
Check out our CHAMPVA page for details.
Veterans Health Care
VA provides a medical benefits package, a standard enhanced health benefits plan available to all enrolled veterans.
Eligibility for most veterans health care benefits is based solely on active military service and being discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
Note: If you are a veteran enrolling for the first time and your income exceeds the current year income threshold, you are not eligible for enrollment at this time. Visit the VA Health Care Eligibility and Priority page to learn more.
Reservists and National Guard members who were called to active duty by a federal executive order may qualify for VA health care benefits. Returning service members, including reservists and National Guard members who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations, have special eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for two years following discharge from active duty.
Important facts about VA health care eligibility:
- Health care eligibility is not just for those who served in combat.
- Veterans health care is not just for service-connected injuries or medical conditions.
- Veterans health care facilities are not for men only. VA offers full-service health care to female veterans.
Click here to get started in determining your eligibility and priority for VA health care benefits.
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