When we retired I didn’t know how civilian healthcare worked. I was used to the way that Tricare Prime for active-duty families worked and it felt overwhelming to try and figure out something new.
Questions swirled…
Do we stay with Tricare Prime or move to Tricare Select? Will I have continuity of care? Do they need the past 20 years of my health records? How do I give them to them? How do I find a doctor? What if I don’t like them? What is it going to cost to visit the doctor? Specialists cost more? How much more?
Are you asking those same kinds of questions?
Unfortunately, for all sorts of reasons we didn’t even make a decision about which plan to choose until we already had our DD214 in hand. It caused all sorts of problems including a delay in much-needed follow-up care.
The overarching “they” will tell you it’s your job to figure it all out in time. That’s why we’ve got the basics right here for you. Tricare 101 is a quick-link chance for you to read up on your choices so you’re in the know.
When you’re transitioning or retiring out of active duty it’s not an option to just stay where you are at with your family’s healthcare. Depending on how your family is leaving active-duty service — separating from active duty or retiring from active duty — will also determine what support you qualify for.
Separating Military Families
If you’re separating from the military, the biggest question is always, what do you qualify for and how long does it last?
Here’s the answer! There are two options for families that are voluntarily separating from active duty military service. The deciding factors are how you separate and the brand of service or type of Tricare beneficiary you are. Keep reading to learn which of these is going to be the right one for you.
The first is the Transitional Assistant Management Program (TAMP.) If eligible for TAMP, you have 180 days of healthcare after your Tricare benefits end. TAMP is meant to bridge the gap between Tricare ending and finding the right civilian healthcare solution for your family.
General eligibility for TAMP for sponsors and family members includes:
- Involuntarily separating from active duty under honorable conditions
- A National Guard or Reserve member separating from a period of more than 30 consecutive days of active duty served for:
- A preplanned mission.
- Support of a contingency operation.
- Support of the government coronavirus (COVID-19) response.
- Separating from active duty following involuntary retention (stop-loss) in support of a contingency operation
- Separating from active duty following a voluntary agreement to stay on active duty for less than one year in support of a contingency operation
- Receiving a sole survivorship discharge
- Separating from regular active duty service and agreeing to become a member of the Selected Reserve of a Reserve Component. The Service member must become a Selected Reservist the day immediately following release from regular active duty service to qualify.
The second option is Continued Healthcare Benefit Program (CHBP.) CHBP provides 18-36 months of continued care after your Tricare or TAMP benefits end. You can enroll in CHBP right away, but it requires that you pay monthly premiums so if you qualify for TAMP that is most likely your best first option.
Retiring Military Families
If you’re retiring, what program options are available through TRICARE, what do you need to be aware of, and what are the steps to getting your family set up for healthcare success?
The first option is Tricare Prime. You pay annual enrollment fees and network co-pays. You can use Tricare Prime if you live in a Prime service area.
The second option is Tricare Select. This option is a self-managed Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and requires an annual deduction, co-share payment of services, and an annual enrollment fee.
When you have Medicare
If you have Medicare your option for wrap-around coverage is Tricare For Life. This coverage is independent of your age or place of residence. If you are using Medicare Part A and B and are Tricare eligible this is the plan for you.
Watch the replay of Tricare 101 For Military Retirement & Transition with Sarah Bumgardner
Sarah Bumgardner, Director of Partnerships and Member Engagement, AAFMAA covers the basics of what you need to know about your healthcare plan when leaving active-duty military service.
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