Former Spouse TRICARE Eligibility & 20/20/20 Rules
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## Quick answer A former spouse may keep TRICARE coverage only if they meet the specific "20/20/20" or "20/20/15" rules regarding the length of the marriage and the sponsor's military service. If you do not meet these criteria, your TRICARE eligibility ends at 12:01 a.m. on the day the divorce decree becomes final, though you may qualify for temporary transitional coverage through CHCBP.
Details
Eligibility for a former spouse is determined by the length of the marriage, the length of the sponsor’s creditable service, and the period of "overlap" between the two. These are strictly enforced federal laws; a divorce decree cannot "order" the military to provide TRICARE if these criteria are not met.
### The 20/20/20 Rule (Lifetime Eligibility) Standard TRICARE coverage continues as long as the former spouse remains unmarried if: * The sponsor performed at least **20 years** of creditable service toward retirement. * The marriage lasted at least **20 years**. * The marriage and the service overlapped by at least **20 years**.
### The 20/20/15 Rule (One Year of Coverage) If the overlap between the 20-year marriage and 20-year service is only 15 years, the former spouse is entitled to **one year** of TRICARE coverage following the date of the divorce.
### Disqualifying Factors Even if the 20/20/20 or 20/20/15 rules are met, eligibility is lost if: * **The Former Spouse Remarries:** Eligibility is terminated and is not regained even if the second marriage ends in death or divorce. * **Employer-Sponsored Health Plans:** A former spouse cannot use TRICARE if they are covered by an employer-sponsored health plan. * **The Sponsor is Discharged:** If the sponsor leaves the military before retirement (without being TDRL or PDRL), the former spouse's eligibility generally ends.
### Plan Options and Costs For 2026, eligible former spouses can enroll in: * **TRICARE Prime:** Available in Prime Service Areas (PSAs). Costs include annual enrollment fees and copays (Retiree-family rates usually apply). * **TRICARE Select:** Provides more flexibility for doctors. 2026 Group A retirees/families typically pay an annual enrollment fee of approximately $190–$380 per year, though specific 2026 rates should be verified at TRICARE.mil. * **TRICARE For Life:** If the former spouse is 65+ and has Medicare Part A and B.
### What if I don't qualify? If you do not meet the 20-year rules, you may purchase the **Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)**. This is a premium-based plan that acts as a bridge between military and civilian insurance. In 2026, you must apply within 60 days of losing TRICARE eligibility. Coverage usually lasts up to 36 months for former spouses.
## Who this affects * **Former Spouses:** Specifically those of Active Duty, Retired, and National Guard/Reserve members. * **Retirees:** Their service history determines the spouse's eligibility. * **Children:** Note that a divorce does *not* affect the eligibility of biological or adopted children; they remain eligible as dependents of the sponsor until the normal age limits.
## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Rights for Former Spouses](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/Eligibility/FormerSpouses) * **Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS):** [Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act](https://www.dfas.mil/Garnishments/usfspa/faqs/) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region):** [Eligibility Overview](https://www.triwest.com) * **Humana Military (East Region):** [Life Events: Divorce](https://www.humanamilitary.com)