TRICARE TAMP: Transitional Assistance Management Program Guide

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## Quick answer The Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) provides 180 days of premium-free TRICARE health benefits to service members and their families transitioning out of active duty. It acts as a bridge for those who are separating under specific conditions, such as involuntary separation or leaving a contingency operation.

## Details TAMP allows you to maintain TRICARE coverage while you transition to civilian life or look for a new job. During this 180-day window, you are treated as an active duty family member (ADFM) for the purposes of cost-sharing, deductibles, and copays, even though you are no longer on active duty.

### Eligibility Criteria You do not "sign up" for TAMP; the military services determine eligibility based on your separation reason. You are generally eligible if you are: * Involuntarily separated from active duty under honorable conditions. * A National Guard or Reserve member separating from active duty after serving more than 30 consecutive days in support of a contingency operation. * Separating from active duty following a voluntary separation under the Special Separation Benefit (SSB) or Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) programs. * Separating from active duty due to a diagnosed medical condition that occurred while on active duty (not a disability retirement).

### Coverage Plans Under TAMP During the 180-day TAMP period, you and your family can enroll in: * **TRICARE Prime:** (Where available) This includes Prime Remote and Prime Overseas. You must re-enroll or submit a primary care manager (PCM) change; coverage is not automatic just because you had Prime while on active duty. * **TRICARE Select:** This is available worldwide. * **US Family Health Plan:** Available in specific geographic areas in the United States.

### 2026 Costs and Pharmacy Under TAMP, your out-of-pocket costs are the same as an **Active Duty Family Member**. * **Premiums:** $0 (Premium-free for 180 days). * **Deductibles/Copays:** For 2026, TAMP beneficiaries follow the Group A or Group B ADFM cost schedule depending on when the sponsor first joined the military. * **Pharmacy:** Managed by Express Scripts. You have access to military pharmacies ($0 copay), home delivery, and retail network pharmacies.

### What Happens After 180 Days? Once TAMP expires, your TRICARE coverage ends unless you qualify for another program. Options at that stage include: * **Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP):** A premium-based plan that acts like COBRA for the military. * **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS):** If you remain in the Selected Reserve. * **Commercial Insurance:** Through a new civilian employer or the Health Insurance Marketplace.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** Those separating under qualifying conditions. * **National Guard and Reserve:** Those coming off active duty orders for contingency operations. * **Military Families:** Spouses and children registered in DEERS at the time of the sponsor's separation. * **Note:** Retirees are **not** eligible for TAMP, as they move directly into retiree health benefits.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) Overview - https://www.tricare.mil/tamp * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** Qualifying Life Events - https://health.mil * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** West Region Transition Guidance - https://www.triwest.com * **Humana Military:** East Region Beneficiary Support - https://www.humanamilitary.com