Independent site. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to DoD, DHA, or the official TRICARE program. Visit the official TRICARE site.
TRICARE.comFind Care. With Confidence.
HomeFAQsWhat happens to my TRICARE when I deactivate from the National Guard or Reserve?

FAQ

What happens to my TRICARE when I deactivate from the National Guard or Reserve?

Direct answer: Deactivating is a qualifying life event, so you have 90 days after your deactivation date to change your TRICARE health plan. If you were activated for a preplanned mission or in support of a contingency operation, you get 180 days of Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) coverage right away. If you were not, your active-duty benefits end immediately and you may qualify to buy TRICARE Reserve Select.

Applies to: All TRICARE plans · All regions

Details

What decides your coverage

TRICARE ties your options to the kind of activation you served. TRICARE’s coverage scenarios page walks through them.

  • Preplanned mission or contingency operation. You immediately receive TAMP coverage for 180 days. It begins the first day after your active duty ends, and your family members can have it too.
  • Any other activation. You cannot get TAMP, and your active-duty benefits end immediately. You may qualify to buy TRICARE Reserve Select.

When TAMP ends

You may qualify to buy TRICARE Reserve Select. If you do not qualify, you can buy the Continued Health Care Benefit Program. Other routes TRICARE names are employer-sponsored insurance or a plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Other things that change

  • Prescriptions are covered while you have TAMP, TRICARE Reserve Select, or CHCBP.
  • Dental: TAMP holders can use active-duty dental benefits. When TAMP or active-duty benefits end, TRICARE Dental Program coverage you held before resumes automatically, and premiums restart until you finish the 12-month minimum enrollment period.
  • TRICARE Young Adult: if you have neither TAMP nor TRS when you deactivate, your adult child cannot enroll in TRICARE Young Adult but can enroll in CHCBP.
  • Being called up again: if you are reactivated for more than 30 consecutive days, you become eligible for TRICARE as an active-duty service member again.

Update DEERS

Check your DEERS record to confirm your eligibility and enrollment information are right, because your coverage options follow it. The official page for this event is TRICARE: Deactivating. If you are not sure which case applies to you, your regional contractor can look up the activation orders on your record.

What to do next

Confirm this with your Primary Care Manager or regional contractor before scheduling — rules can vary by region and by service.