TRICARE Divorce Rules: 20/20/20 and 20/20/15 Explained | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer Whether a former spouse keeps TRICARE depends on the length of the marriage and the duration of the sponsor's military service. If you meet the "20/20/20" rule, you may keep TRICARE for life; if you meet the "20/20/15" rule, you may keep it for one year. Otherwise, coverage typically ends at midnight on the day the divorce is finalized.

Details

TRICARE eligibility for former spouses is strictly governed by federal law. Unlike employer-sponsored health insurance, you cannot "negotiate" TRICARE coverage into a divorce settlement if you do not meet the statutory requirements.

### The 20/20/20 Rule (Lifetime Coverage) A former spouse can keep TRICARE coverage as a "remarried former spouse" if they meet all three criteria: * **20 Years of Marriage:** The marriage lasted at least 20 years. * **20 Years of Service:** The sponsor performed at least 20 years of service creditable for retired pay. * **20-Year Overlap:** The marriage and the military service overlapped by at least 20 years.

If you meet these criteria, you remain eligible for TRICARE (Prime or Select) until you remarry or enroll in an employer-sponsored health plan. You must register in DEERS under your own Social Security Number.

### The 20/20/15 Rule (One-Year Transition) If the overlap between the marriage and the service was only 15 years, you qualify for a limited benefit: * **20 Years of Marriage / 20 Years of Service.** * **15-Year Overlap:** The marriage and the service overlapped by at least 15 years but less than 20. * **Benefit:** You receive one year of TRICARE coverage starting from the date of the divorce.

### When Coverage Ends Immediately If you do not meet the rules above, your TRICARE coverage ends at 11:59 p.m. on the day the divorce decree is finalized. You are no longer eligible for military MTFs or pharmacy benefits.

### Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) If you lose TRICARE due to divorce, you can buy "bridge" coverage called CHCBP. This is a premium-based plan managed by Humana Military. * **Enrollment Window:** You must apply within 60 days of losing TRICARE eligibility. * **2026 Rates:** Coverage varies by year; for 2026, individual premiums are significantly higher than standard TRICARE (check TRICARE.mil for exact quarterly rates). * **Duration:** Most former spouses can use CHCBP for up to 36 months, though some may qualify for longer in specific circumstances.

### Impact of Remarriage If a former spouse remarries, they permanently lose eligibility for TRICARE under their previous sponsor’s record, even if the new marriage later ends in death or divorce.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Spouses:** Coverage usually ends immediately unless 20/20/15 or 20/20/20 rules apply. * **Retired Spouses:** Often the primary group qualifying for lifetime 20/20/20 benefits. * **National Guard/Reserve Spouses:** Eligibility follows similar overlap rules based on "years of service" (points for retirement). * **Children:** Children of the marriage do **not** lose TRICARE; their eligibility remains as long as the sponsor is eligible and they meet age requirements.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Rights and Responsibilities - Divorce](https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Divorce) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [Former Spouse Eligibility Facts](https://health.mil) * **Humana Military (East Contractor):** [Continued Health Care Benefit Program](https://www.humanamilitary.com) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Contractor):** [Beneficiary Services](https://www.triwest.com)