How To Get TRICARE During Transition: TAMP and CHCBP Guide

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or a government entity. For official policy, please visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Quick answer When transitioning out of the military, your active duty health coverage typically ends on your last day of service. To avoid a gap in coverage, you must either qualify for a transitional program like TAMP, purchase TRICARE Reserve Select (if joining the Guard/Reserve), or enroll in the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) within 60 days of separation.

Details

### Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) TAMP provides 180 days of premium-free TRICARE coverage starting the day after your separation. This is not open to everyone; you must meet specific criteria, such as: * Involuntary separation under honorable conditions. * Separating from active duty following a contingency operation (more than 30 days). * Separating from active duty after being ordered to support a contingency operation for more than 30 days. * Sole survivorship discharge.

During TAMP, you and your family are covered under TRICARE Select (or Prime in some locations) as "active duty family members," meaning you generally pay no enrollment fees but are subject to cost-shares.

### Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) If you do not qualify for TAMP or your TAMP period has ended, you can purchase CHCBP. This is a premium-based plan that functions like a "bridge" between military and civilian insurance (similar to COBRA). * **Coverage Duration:** Usually up to 18 hours, but can be longer for certain scenarios like divorce. * **2026 Rates:** For Plan Year 2026, CHCBP premiums are paid quarterly. While exact 2026 figures are scheduled for release in late 2025, historically these premiums reflect the full cost of the plan (e.g., in 2024/2025, they exceeded $1,800 per quarter for individuals and $4,500 for families). * **Action Required:** You must enroll within 60 days of losing TRICARE eligibility.

### Transitioning to the Guard or Reserve If you are transitioning directly from Active Duty to the Selected Reserve, you may be eligible to purchase **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)**. This is a premium-based plan that offers significantly lower costs than civilian plans. To avoid a gap, you must ensure your new unit updates your status in DEERS immediately upon your transition.

### Retiring from Service If you are retiring after 20+ years, your transition is different. You do not lose TRICARE, but your status changes. * **Enrolling as a Retiree:** You must re-enroll in a TRICARE plan (Prime or Select) within 90 days of your retirement date. * **Costs:** As of 2026, retirees in "Group A" (initial enlistment before Jan 1, 2018) pay an annual enrollment fee. As of 2024/2025, these were roughly $360/individual or $720/family; check TRICARE.mil for specific 2026 inflation-adjusted figures.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** Separating or retiring. * **National Guard and Reserve:** Transitioning between active and inactive status. * **Family Members:** Spouses and children losing "Active Duty Family Member" status. * **Divorced Spouses:** Those losing eligibility due to a change in marital status.

## Sources 1. **TRICARE.mil:** Separation (https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Separating) 2. **TRICARE.mil:** TAMP Overview (https://www.tricare.mil/tamp) 3. **Humana Military (East Contractor):** (https://www.humanamilitary.com/) 4. **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Contractor):** (https://www.triwest.com/) Thompson-5 Transition Information.