TRICARE After Separation: Coverage Options & Rules
*TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program. For official policy and enrollment, visit TRICARE.mil.*
## Quick answer When you separate from active duty, your TRICARE coverage typically ends at midnight on your last day of service. To avoid a gap in coverage, you must either qualify for transitional programs like TAMP, purchase premium-based coverage like CHCBP, or enroll in a private health plan through your employer or the Healthcare.gov marketplace.
## Details Leaving the military is a **Qualifying Life Event (QLE)**. You have 90 days from your date of separation to make changes to your health plan, but you must act quickly to ensure continuity of care.
### 1. Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) If you qualify for TAMP, you receive 180 days of premium-free TRICARE coverage beginning the day after your separation. It acts like TRICARE Select (or Prime if you live in a Prime Service Area). **Who qualifies for TAMP?** * Members involuntarily separated under honorable conditions. * Reserve Component members ordered to active duty for more than 30 days in support of a contingency operation. * Members separating from active duty following a service-related agreement. * Members separating due to a diagnosed medical condition (sole survivorship discharge).
### 2. Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) If you do not qualify for TAMP, or when TAMP ends, you can purchase CHCBP. This is a premium-based plan that acts as a bridge between military and civilian health care. * **Coverage Duration:** Usually up to 18 months. * **2026 Rates:** For the current plan year, CHCBP premiums are approximately **$1,900 to $2,100 per quarter for individuals** and **$4,300 to $4,600 per quarter for families** (varies slightly by plan year — check TRICARE.mil for exact 2026 updates). * **Enrollment:** You must apply within 60 days of losing TRICARE or TAMP eligibility.
### 3. Transitioning to the Guard or Reserve If you separate from active duty but immediately join the Selected Reserve, you become eligible for **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)**. This is a premium-based plan that is significantly more affordable than CHCBP or most civilian plans.
### 4. Retiring from Service If you are retiring (20+ years or medical retirement), you do not lose TRICARE. However, you must **actively re-enroll** in a retiree plan (TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select) within 90 days of your retirement date. If you fail to enroll, you will only have access to care in military hospitals on a space-available basis.
## Who this affects * **Active Duty Members:** Losing full coverage upon separation. * **National Guard and Reserve:** Transitioning between active status and TRICARE Reserve Select. * **Family Members:** Spouses and children lose coverage simultaneously with the sponsor. * **Medical Retirees:** Transitioning to permanent retiree benefits.
## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Separating from Active Duty](https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Separating) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [Transitional Assistance Management Program](https://www.tricare.mil/TAMP) * **Humana Military (East):** [Ending TRICARE Coverage](https://www.humanamilitary.com/beneficiary/plans-and-programs/ending-tricare) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West):** [Plan Transitions](https://www.triwest.com)