When Deactivated

When you leave active duty, or deactivate, your health plan options are different depending on if you were activatedCalled or ordered to active duty service for more than 30 days in a row. in support of a contingency operation.

When your active duty benefits end, you'll need new minimal essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The transitional health benefits and TRICARE Reserve Select (described below) meet these requirements, but you can also search the Health Insurance Marketplace to find a plan that fits your budget and meets your needs.

Your Health Plan Options

If Activated for a Preplanned Mission or in Support of a Contingency Operation

You qualify for the Transitional Assistance Management Program for 180 days.

  • TAMP coverage begins on the first day after your active duty service ends.
  • Family members are also covered during the TAMP period.  

After TAMP ends, you'll need to make decisions about your health care to meet the minimum essiental coverage requirements under the ACA.

If Activated, but Not for a Preplanned Mission or in Support of a Contingency Operation

If you weren't activated for a preplanned mission or in support of a contingency operation, you don't qualify for TAMP. When your active duty benefits end:

  • You may qualify to purchase TRS.
  • If you don't qualify for TRS, you can purchase the CHCBP.
  • Or, you can search the Health Insurance Marketplace for civilian health plan options to meet the requirements for minimum essential coverage.

Line of Duty Care

You may be covered for any illness, injury, or disease sustained or aggravated in the line of duty.

Prescription Drug Coverage

You'll continue to have TRICARE's pharmacy benefit as long as you're covered by TAMP, TRS, or the CHCBP.

Dental Coverage

  • You're covered by active duty dental benefits during TAMP.
  • When TRICARE or TAMP coverage ends:
    • If previously enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program, your coverage and monthly premiums automatically resume.
    • If your family members are enrolled in the TDP, their coverage continues uninterrupted. Their premium payments will revert back to their original rates.

Children Enrolled in TRICARE Young Adult

For your child to remain eligible for and enrolled in TRICARE Young Adult, you must also be covered by TRICARE through TAMP or TRS. If you aren't covered by TAMP or TRS when you deactivate, your child's eligibility for TYA also ends.

In this scenario, your child would also qualify to purchase the CHCBP.

Last Updated 4/11/2025