Separating from Active Duty

Event:

Qualifying Life Event?

SeparatingSeparating from the military means that you leave the service before you retire. from Active Duty

Yes.

You have 90 days from your separation date to change your TRICARE health plan.

Separating from the military means that you leave the service before you retire. You and your family may qualify for temporary health care coverage when you separate from the service.

It is important to schedule your Separation History and Physical Examination (SHPE) before you separate or start your terminal leave. Make sure you schedule it between 90 and 180 days before your end date.

The SHPE is medical exam that the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) use to capture your complete medical history. >>Learn More about the SHPE

Things to know when separating from active duty:

  • Separating from active duty is different than retiring. >> Learn more about retiring.
  • Separating is also different than "Deactivating". When you are deactivating from the National Guard or Reserves, you are still a member of your unit. Your military status changes, so your health care options will also change. >>Learn More
  • Your family members, age 18 and older, can continue to access their medical information on MilConnect. They can get a DS Logon for up to six months after your separation.

Active Duty Service Members

There are two programs for temporary coverage. You may qualify for either:

It’s important to remember that separating from is a different QLE than if you retire. >>Learn More

Terminal Leave

Going on terminal leave isn’t a QLE. While you’re on terminal leave, you still have TRICARE Prime. You must report any changes to your medical status. >>Learn More

Learn more about other Qualifying Life Events

Retiring Having a Baby
Getting Married Moving
Getting Divorced Becoming Medicare Eligible
Going to College Child Becoming an Adult
Losing or Gaining Other Health Insurance Death in the Family
Moving When Deploying Injured on Active Duty
Activating Deactivating

Seperating from Active Duty
Separating from the military means that you leave the service before you retire. You and your family may qualify for temporary health care coverage when you separate from the service. Learn more https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Separating.

Last Updated 8/30/2023