UPDATE: On Sunday, November 3rd, DMDC/DEERS Support Office restored eligibility for beneficiaries that were affected by the data transfer issues. If you were affected by this, please call the DMDC/DEERS Support office at 800-538-9552 to confirm your eligibility.
Nov. 1, 2024: During a transfer of data, some beneficiaries were inadvertently dropped from DEERS which resulted in loss of TRICARE eligibility. If you experience trouble accessing health care before this situation is resolved, please contact your TRICARE contractor for assistance.
Learn more about Qualifying Life Events. They can trigger a change in your TRICARE benefit.
Separating from Active Duty
Event:
Qualifying Life Event?
SeparatingSeparating from the military means that you leave the service before you retire. from Active Duty
No.
Separating from the military means you leave the service before you retire.
Generally, your TRICARE eligibility ends at 11:59 P.M. on your last duty day.
You and your family may have temporary health care coverage if your Service grants you Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) benefits.
Once TAMP ends, you may qualify to purchase Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) coverage.
Yes, but only if you have a spouse who is TRICARE-eligible as their own sponsor, and you are TRICARE-eligible under your spouse as a family member.
Your separation is a qualifying life event.
This means you and your family have 90 days from your separation date or TAMP end date to make enrollment changes to your TRICARE.
Your spouse must update their DEERS record to show you as an eligible family member.
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
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
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.
