Choices Let Guard, Reserve Members Transition with TRICARE

The activation and deactivation cycle of National Guard and Reserve members can be a challenging process for service members and their families. TRICARE now offers many options for recently deactivated guardsmen, reservists and their families to maintain their health during the transition from active duty back to civilian life.

After serving in contingency operations for more than 30 days, deactivated guardsmen, reservists and their family members are eligible to receive care through the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) for 180 days after deactivation. TAMP participants can choose TRICARE Standard or TRICARE Prime if it is locally available. Under TAMP, TRICARE Prime requires re-enrollment for sponsors and family members, but there are no fees associated with enrollment.

During TAMP, if a guardsman or reservist has a newly diagnosed medical condition that can be resolved within 180 days of diagnosis and the condition is service-related, he or she may apply for Transitional Care for Service-Related Conditions (TCSRC). To treat the condition TCSRC extends transitional coverage for up to 180 additional days from the date of diagnosis. For more information go to http://www.tricare.mil/tcsrc.

TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) was created to support reservists and guardsmen and their families while they’re not on active duty. TRS is premium-based coverage qualified National guard and Reserve members may purchase at any time. For 2009 premiums are $47.51 per month for individual coverage and $180.17 per month for member-and-family coverage, and rates are adjusted annually. Participants can get care from any TRICARE-authorized provider and in military treatment facilities on a space-available basis. TRS participants must meet a deductible based on the sponsor’s pay grade before cost-sharing of services begins.

To qualify for TRS, a guardsman or reservist must be a member of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve and not eligible for, or covered by, the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. Coverage cannot overlap with other TRICARE programs such as TAMP.

TRS coverage automatically ends when a Guardsman or Reservist is activated. Once deactivated, sponsors can purchase TRS again if they still qualify. For more information on TRS, go to http://www.tricare.mil/trs. Reservists and guardsmen can qualify for and purchase TRS coverage online at the Guard and Reserve Web Portal at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/trs/index.jsp.

The Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) is another health care option for qualified National Guard and Reserve members. Guardsmen and reservists not eligible for TRICARE can get more information about CHCBP at http://www.tricare.mil/chcbp.

While covered under TRS, TAMP or CHCBP, Reserve and National Guard members and their families have TRICARE prescription drug coverage. They may also purchase dental care coverage through the TRICARE Dental Program at any time.

Learn more about TRICARE options through the activation and deactivation cycle online at the TRICARE beneficiary portal at http://tricare.mil/mybenefit.

About TRICARE Management Activity and the Military Health System
TRICARE Management Activity, the Defense Department activity that administers the health care plan for the uniformed services, retirees and their families, serves more than 9.5 million eligible beneficiaries worldwide in the Military Health System (MHS). The mission of the MHS is to enhance Department of Defense and national security by providing health support for the full range of military operations. The MHS provides quality medical care through a network of providers, military treatment facilities, medical clinics and dental clinics worldwide. For more about the MHS go to www.health.mil.