The Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) TRICARE is a premium-based health plan designed to provide temporary health coverage. This program acts as a crucial bridge for individuals and families transitioning from military health benefits to civilian health insurance. If you are losing your TRICARE eligibility, understanding CHCBP is essential for maintaining continuous health care coverage.
What is the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) TRICARE?
The CHCBP TRICARE offers a temporary health care solution, typically for 18 to 36 months, when you no longer qualify for regular TRICARE benefits. It is specifically designed to ensure you have access to health coverage during the transition period after leaving military service or losing dependent status. Think of the Continued Health Care Benefit Program Tricare as a safety net, ensuring you and your family remain protected while you explore and secure long-term civilian health insurance options.
Importantly, the health coverage provided by the CHCBP mirrors that of TRICARE Select. This means you can expect similar benefits, including prescription coverage. Furthermore, enrolling in the Continued Health Care Benefit Program TRICARE fulfills the minimum essential coverage requirement under the Affordable Care Act. It is, however, vital to remember that CHCBP is a temporary measure, and you should proactively plan for health coverage once your CHCBP benefits conclude.
Who is Eligible for the Continued Health Care Benefit Program TRICARE?
Eligibility for the Continued Health Care Benefit Program TRICARE depends on your previous TRICARE plan and the reason for losing coverage. To be eligible for CHCBP, your prior TRICARE plan (if applicable) must have been active for at least one day before your TRICARE eligibility ended. This condition primarily applies to those previously enrolled in:
- TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)
- TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)
- TRICARE Young Adult
You may be eligible to purchase the Continued Health Care Benefit Program TRICARE under various circumstances, provided the service member’s separation was under conditions other than adverse. Here are some common scenarios:
| Former Category | Scenario | Length of Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Active Duty Service Member | Released from active duty | Up to 18 months |
| Full-time National Guard Member | Separated from full-time status | Up to 18 months |
| Member covered by the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) | Loss of TAMP coverage | Up to 18 months |
| Selected Reserve member covered by TRS | Loss of TRS coverage | Up to 18 months |
| Retired Reserve member covered by TRR | Loss of TRR coverage (before age 60) | Up to 18 months |
| Dependent spouse or child | Loss of TRICARE coverage | Up to 36 months |
| Unremarried former spouse | Loss of TRICARE coverage | Up to 36 months* |
*Unremarried former spouses may have options for extended coverage. It is recommended to contact Humana Military directly for specific details regarding your situation.
If you are preparing to deactivate from service, remember that programs like the TRICARE Assistance Management Program (TAMP) and TRICARE Reserve Select may precede CHCBP. If you are eligible for the Continued Health Care Benefit Program TRICARE, you generally need to enroll within 60 days of losing TAMP coverage or within 60 days of losing TRICARE eligibility directly. Consult your personnel office for personalized guidance and detailed information about your transition benefits.
Enrolling in the Continued Health Care Benefit Program TRICARE
Humana Military is the contractor responsible for administering the Continued Health Care Benefit Program TRICARE. They manage enrollment, authorizations, claims processing, and customer service.
To learn more about the Continued Health Care Benefit Program TRICARE and determine if you qualify, you can:
- Visit the CHCBP website
- Call Humana Military directly at 1-800-444-5445
Enrolling in the Continued Health Care Benefit Program TRICARE provides a valuable safety net, ensuring you have continuous health coverage as you transition away from traditional TRICARE benefits. Act promptly within the enrollment window to secure this temporary health coverage.
