TRICARE Separation Guide: TAMP, CHCBP & 2026 Rules | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer When you separate from active duty, your TRICARE coverage usually ends at midnight on your final day of service unless you qualify for a transition program like TAMP or CHCBP. To maintain health coverage, you must proactively enroll in a transitional plan or secure private insurance, as there is no "automatic" permanent coverage for non-retirees after separation.

Details

### The 180-Day Buffer: TAMP The **Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP)** provides 180 days of premium-free TRICARE coverage beginning the day after your separation. You do not automatically qualify for TAMP just by leaving the military. You are generally eligible if you are: * Involuntarily separating under honorable conditions. * A Reserve Component member completing a period of more than 30 days of active duty in support of a contingency operation. * Separating due to a diagnosed medical condition (sole survivorship discharge).

Under TAMP, you are covered as a "Group A" or "Group B" beneficiary (depending on when you joined) under TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select. For 2026, there are no monthly premiums for TAMP, but co-pays for civilian care under TRICARE Select apply.

### The Bridge Plan: CHCBP If you do not qualify for TAMP, or if your 180 days of TAMP have expired, you can enroll in the **Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)**. This acts like "COBRA" for the military. * **Duration:** Typically 18 months of coverage. * **Cost:** This is an expensive option. For 2026, quarterly premiums for CHCBP vary—check TRICARE.mil for current rates, but historically these exceed $1,800 per quarter for individuals and $4,000 for families. * **Enrollment:** You must apply within 60 days of losing TRICARE or TAMP eligibility.

### Reserve and National Guard Options If you are separating from Active Duty but joining the Selected Reserve or National Guard, you may be eligible to purchase **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)**. This is a premium-based plan that offers significantly lower rates than civilian equivalents.

### Separation vs. Retirement It is critical to distinguish between *separating* (leaving before 20 years/without a pension) and *retiring*. * **Retirees:** Get lifelong TRICARE eligibility (TRICARE Select or Prime until age 65, then TRICARE For Life), though they must pay annual enrollment fees starting in 2026. * **Separatees:** Lose eligibility entirely once TAMP or CHCBP expires.

### Pharmacy Benefits During your TAMP period, your pharmacy benefits remain the same, managed by **Express Scripts**. You can use military pharmacies, retail pharmacies, or home delivery. Once you move to CHCBP, you maintain pharmacy access but under a different cost structure.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** Transitioning to civilian life. * **National Guard and Reserve:** Completing active duty tours of 30+ days. * **Family Members:** Spouses and children registered in DEERS. * **Involuntary Separatees:** Those eligible for TAMP due to force downsizing.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Plan Finder and Transition Guide](https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Separating) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [TAMP Eligibility Requirements](https://www.health.mil) * **Humana Military (East Region):** [Transitioning from Active Duty](https://www.humanamilitary.com) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region):** [New Contractor Information](https://www.triwest.com)