Transitioning from TRICARE to Civilian Care

Tackling life after the military comes with its challenges, and one of the biggest decisions separating Service members face is figuring out health insurance. Whether you’re heading into a new job, enrolling in a different healthcare plan, or planning to retire, it’s important to know what options are available for you and your family. While most military retirees can continue using TRICARE, let’s go over what’s out there, especially if you’re separating or transitioning to civilian healthcare.

Review Your New Employer’s Health Plan

If you’ve landed a new civilian job, review the health insurance benefits they offer. Most employers provide a health plan that will serve as your primary coverage, like the TRICARE coverage you had while serving. You’ll likely need to sign up for your new employer’s plan as part of the onboarding process. Health insurance plans come in many shapes and sizes, but two of the most common types you’ll encounter are Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO).

• HMOs usually require you to choose a primary care physician (PCP), who then refers you to specialists if needed. These plans are cost-effective, but they do come with some restrictions, like only being able to see in-network doctors.
• PPOs, on the other hand, are more flexible. You can see any specialist or doctor without needing a referral, and while in-network care is cheaper, you can still go outside the network for a higher cost. PPOs tend to have higher premiums but offer more freedom when it comes to choosing providers.

Some employers have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), which can be part of a PPO or HMO. These plans have higher deductibles but lower premiums, making them potentially more affordable to healthy participants. HDHPs are often paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA), which allows you to save money tax-free for medical expenses. If you are generally healthy and expect to need minimal coverage, a HDHP with an HSA could be a good way to manage your healthcare costs and save for future medical expenses.

Explore Other Coverage Options

If you’re a military retiree, you’re eligible to keep using TRICARE for your healthcare, with additional costs. This could include annual enrollment fees, deductibles, copays, and premiums, depending on the plan you select.

If you’re transitioning out of service and aren’t retiring, there are still a few options available:

• The Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) offers temporary civilian health coverage if you lose eligibility for TRICARE, but you’ll need to sign up for this within 60 days of losing coverage.
• The Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) provides 180 days of coverage for certain service members transitioning from active duty.
• Health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may be an option. The VA generally covers veterans only, so it is important to know how to obtain coverage for your family members. However, if a veteran is rated permanently and totally disabled or died from a service-connected disability, their spouse and dependent children may qualify for coverage under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA).

If you don’t qualify for any of these programs, you can check out the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace for health plans.

Don’t Forget Your Health Records

Finally, before you separate or retire, make sure you gather all your health records, including those for your family members. Having a complete copy of your medical history, including prescriptions, will make it easier to transition to new care providers regardless of which health insurance plan you choose. If you have ongoing medical needs, this is especially important for making sure your new provider has all the necessary information. Receiving these records can take a while, so jump on this request sooner rather than later.

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