TRICARE Eligibility After Discharge: TAMP & Transitions
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## Quick answer In most cases, TRICARE coverage ends at midnight on the day of your discharge or separation from active duty. However, you may qualify for temporary transitional coverage through TAMP or Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) if you meet specific separation criteria.
Details
### Standard Separation (Loss of Eligibility) For a routine separation or discharge that is not a retirement, your TRICARE Prime or Select coverage terminates on your last day of service. Your family members also lose coverage at this time. To ensure transition of care, you should download your medical records via the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal before your discharge date.
### Temporary Coverage: TAMP The **Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP)** provides 180 days of premium-free TRICARE coverage. You do not "enroll" in TAMP; if you are eligible, the services reflect this in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
**2026 TAMP Eligibility Includes:** * Members involuntarily separated under honorable conditions. * National Guard/Reserve members who served more than 30 consecutive days on federal active duty in support of a contingency operation. * Members separated after a regular tour of duty in support of a contingency operation. * Members separated for a service-related medical condition.
Under TAMP, you are eligible for TRICARE Prime (where available) or TRICARE Select. While the coverage is premium-free, you are still responsible for 2026 cost-shares and copayments based on your status (Group A or Group B).
### Long-term Gap Coverage: CHCBP If you do not qualify for TAMP, or if your TAMP coverage expires, you can purchase the **Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)**. This acts like "COBRA" for the military. * **Enrollment Window:** You must enroll within 60 days of losing TRICARE eligibility. * **Duration:** Usually up to 18 to 36 months. * **2026 Costs:** This is an expensive, premium-based plan. For 2026, premiums are paid quarterly (contact TriWest or Humana for current specific rate tables as these adjust annually).
### Retiring from Service If you are retiring (20+ years or medical retirement), your coverage does not end, but it **requires a new enrollment action**. You must proactively enroll in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select as a retiree within 90 days of your retirement date to avoid a gap in coverage. Retirees pay annual enrollment fees (2026 rates vary by Group A/B status).
### Reserve Component Transition If you are a Guard or Reserve member transitioning back to civilian status, you may be eligible to purchase **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)**. This requires you to be in the Selected Reserve and not eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.
## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** Losing coverage upon separation. * **National Guard and Reservists:** Transitioning off active duty orders. * **Military Families:** Who lose eligibility alongside the sponsor. * **Medical Retirees:** Transitioning to the retiree fee structure.
## Sources * **TRICARE.mil Separation:** https://www.tricare.mil/Separating * **TRICARE.mil TAMP Details:** https://www.tricare.mil/TAMP * **Humana Military (East Contractor):** https://www.humanamilitary.com/ * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Contractor):** https://www.triwest.com/