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Suggest a Feature →TRICARE After Separation
General information, not legal advice. For legal issues, contact Trial Defense Service (TDS) or your Legal Assistance Office.
“Once you get out, you lose all your medical benefits immediately. You're on your own.”
You have 180 days of transitional healthcare coverage (Transitional Assistance Management Program / TAMP) after separation. After that, you may qualify for VA healthcare, TRICARE Reserve Select (if Guard/Reserve), or Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) as a bridge.
The 180-Day Bridge: TAMP
The Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) provides 180 days of premium-free TRICARE coverage after your separation date. This covers you and your dependents. You don't have to apply — it should activate automatically, but verify with TRICARE.
Who Qualifies for TAMP
- Involuntary separation (RIF, drawdown, medical)
- Separation with eligibility for reserve component membership
- Separation after completion of initial service obligation
After TAMP: Your Options
VA Healthcare: If you have any service-connected disability rating (even 0%), you qualify for VA healthcare. The level of coverage depends on your priority group, which is determined by your disability rating and income.
CHCBP (Continued Health Care Benefit Program): This is temporary continuation of TRICARE coverage that you pay for. It lasts 18-36 months and must be enrolled in within 60 days of losing TRICARE eligibility. It's more expensive than TRICARE but cheaper than most civilian plans.
TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS): If you join the Guard or Reserves, you qualify for TRS — a premium-based TRICARE plan that's significantly cheaper than civilian insurance.
ACA Marketplace: You can enroll in a marketplace plan. Losing TRICARE qualifies as a "life event" that lets you enroll outside of open enrollment.
The Timeline That Matters
- Day 0: Separation date
- Days 1-180: TAMP coverage (if eligible)
- Within 60 days of losing coverage: Enroll in CHCBP if desired
- Ongoing: Apply for VA healthcare (no deadline, but earlier is better)
Dental and Vision
TRICARE dental and vision end on your separation date. TAMP does not cover dental. You'll need to arrange separate dental coverage — either through VA (if eligible), an employer plan, or individual coverage.
For Your Family
Your dependents are covered under TAMP alongside you. After TAMP, their coverage depends on what you enroll in. If you get VA healthcare, that covers only you — dependents need separate coverage through CHCBP, TRS, an employer plan, or the marketplace.
Start Planning 12 Months Out
Don't wait until your last week to figure this out. During your transition brief (SFL-TAP/TAPS), ask specifically about healthcare transitions. Get your medical records in order, file your VA disability claim before you separate, and understand the timeline.
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Contact your installation's Trial Defense Service (TDS) for UCMJ matters, or Legal Assistance Office for general legal issues. These services are free for active duty service members.