The Tricare Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) offers a premium-based, temporary health coverage solution designed as a crucial bridge for individuals transitioning from military health benefits to civilian health plans. If you are losing your TRICARE eligibility, the CHCBP ensures you maintain access to comprehensive health coverage for a period of 18 to 36 months, preventing gaps in your healthcare.
Think of the CHCBP as a safety net during significant life changes. It mirrors the comprehensive coverage of TRICARE Select, ensuring you have access to the same range of healthcare services, including prescription medications. Furthermore, the tricare continued health care benefit program satisfies the minimum essential coverage requirements mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), providing peace of mind and compliance as you explore your long-term health insurance options. It’s vital to consider your healthcare needs and future coverage options as your CHCBP term approaches its end.
Who is Eligible for the Continued Health Care Benefit Program?
Eligibility for the tricare continued health care benefit program depends on your previous TRICARE plan and the circumstances surrounding your loss of eligibility. Crucially, to qualify for CHCBP, your prior TRICARE plan (TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS), TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR), or TRICARE Young Adult) must have been active for at least one day immediately before your TRICARE benefits ended. Additionally, the service member’s separation from duty must be classified as “other than adverse conditions,” excluding “dishonorable” or “general” discharges.
Several scenarios qualify individuals to purchase the tricare continued health care benefit program. These include:
- Active Duty Service Members: If you are released from active duty, you may be eligible for up to 18 months of CHCBP coverage.
- Full-Time National Guard Members: Separation from full-time National Guard status also qualifies you for up to 18 months of coverage under the tricare continued health care benefit program.
- Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) Recipients: Loss of coverage under the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) makes you eligible for up to 18 months of CHCBP.
- Selected Reserve Members (TRS): Losing coverage under TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) opens the door to 18 months of coverage through the tricare continued health care benefit program.
- Retired Reserve Members (TRR): If you lose TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) coverage before reaching age 60, you are eligible for up to 18 months under CHCBP.
- Dependent Spouses and Children: Dependent spouses or children who lose TRICARE coverage can qualify for a longer duration of CHCBP, up to 36 months.
- Unremarried Former Spouses: Similar to dependents, unremarried former spouses who lose TRICARE coverage are also eligible for up to 36 months of coverage. It’s important for unremarried former spouses to contact Humana Military to explore potential options for extended coverage beyond the standard period.
Important Note for Deactivating Service Members: If you are preparing to deactivate, remember that programs like the TRICARE Assistance Management Program (TAMP) and TRICARE Reserve Select might be available to you before CHCBP. The tricare continued health care benefit program typically follows these programs. If you become eligible to purchase CHCBP, timely enrollment is crucial. You generally need to enroll within 60 days of losing TAMP or within 30 days of losing TRICARE Reserve Select coverage. Consult your personnel office for detailed guidance and to understand all your options during this transition.
Humana Military: Your CHCBP Contractor
Humana Military is the designated contractor administering the tricare continued health care benefit program. They handle various aspects of the program, including enrollment processing, coverage authorizations, claims processing, and customer service inquiries.
To find out more about the tricare continued health care benefit program, determine your eligibility, or begin the enrollment process, you can:
- Visit the official CHCBP website for comprehensive information and online resources.
- Contact Humana Military directly by phone at 1-800-444-5445 to speak with a customer service representative who can assist you with your questions and guide you through the process.
Last Updated: 11/21/2024
