TAMP (Transitional Assistance Management Program) Explained

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## Definition The Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) provides 180 days of premium-free TRICARE health benefits to eligible service members and their families as they transition from active duty to civilian life.

## What it means in practice TAMP acts as a critical "bridge" for military families, ensuring they aren’t left without health insurance during the first six months after leaving active duty. Unlike standard active duty coverage where the government pays for everything, TAMP transitions the family into a "Group B" status. During this 180-day window, you do not pay monthly premiums, but you may be responsible for cost-shares, co-pays, and deductibles depending on the plan you choose (typically TRICARE Select or TRICARE Prime).

To be eligible for TAMP in 2026, a sponsor must generally fall into one of these categories: * Involuntary separation under honorable conditions. * National Guard or Reserve members who served more than 30 consecutive days in support of a contingency operation. * Members separating from active duty following a regular retirement (in specific circumstances, though most retirees transition directly to retiree health plans). * Members separating under the Sole Survivorship Discharge.

During the TAMP period, you are eligible for the same benefits as active duty family members, including pharmacy coverage through Express Scripts and dental care (though dental requires separate enrollment in the TRICARE Dental Program). Once the 180 days expire, TAMP coverage ends automatically. To avoid a gap in coverage, beneficiaries must then enroll in a permanent plan, such as a TRICARE Retiree plan, the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP), or employer-sponsored insurance.

For 2026, while TAMP has no enrollment fees, if you use TRICARE Select during this period, you will face the standard 2026 cost-shares for "Group B" beneficiaries. For example, an outpatient primary care visit might cost $38–$40 depending on your specific category. It is essential to ensure your information is updated in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) immediately upon separation to trigger the TAMP eligibility flag.

## Related terms * **DEERS:** The database used to verify eligibility for TRICARE and other military benefits. * **Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP):** A premium-based plan that provides temporary coverage for 18–36 months after TRICARE or TAMP eligibility ends. * **Qualifying Life Event (QLE):** A change in your life—such as separating from active duty—that allows you to enroll in or change TRICARE plans outside of open enrollment. * **Group B:** The category for service members and families who first joined the military on or after January 1, 2018; TAMP beneficiaries are treated as Group B for cost-sharing purposes. * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** The current regional contractor managing TRICARE benefits for the West Region as of 2025.

## Sources * TRICARE.mil: Transitional Assistance Management Program (https://www.tricare.mil/tamp) * Defense Health Agency: TRICARE Plans (https://health.mil) * Humana Military: East Region Transition Guide (https://www.humanamilitary.com)