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Service dogs are guide or service dogs prescribed for a disabled veteran under 38 CFR 17.148 for the purpose of the Veteran being diagnosed as having a visual, hearing, or substantial mobility impairment.
TRICARE
A health insurance provider that can provide coverage for service-members and their families as well as certain Veterans and their families.
Active Duty (Terminal Leave)
While you are on terminal leave you still have health insurance under TRICARE Prime.
REAL TALK:
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TRICARE can be a real pain in the butt when it comes to getting a referral during your terminal leave. As such, it is best to arrange any needed routine care and have a stock of medication BEFORE you start terminal leave!
Emergency Care
If you have a medical emergency GO TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL!!
Urgent Care
For a non-emergency illness or injury. You typically need urgent care to treat a condition that:
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Doesn’t threaten life, limb or eyesight.
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Needs attention before it becomes a serious risk to health.
Examples include things like a high fever or sprained ankle.
Routine Care
You will need to get pre-authorization for routine care:
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If your primary care manager (PCM) is located at a military facility (hospital or clinic) then you need to get pre-authorization from them.
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If your PCM was a civilian then you need to get pre-authorization from the Defense Health Agency - Great Lakes at 1-888-647-6676.
Veteran Affairs (VA) Facilities
You will need to get pre-authorization to use VA facilities:
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If your primary care manager (PCM) is located at a military facility (hospital or clinic) then you need to get pre-authorization from them.
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If your PCM was a civilian then you need to get pre-authorization from the Defense Health Agency - Great Lakes at 1-888-647-6676.
UNLESS the VA health care facility you are visiting has a VA/DoD sharing agreement.
Military Hospitals and Clinics
If you happen to be near one, you can use it.
Overseas
You MUST get prior authorization from International SOS to use foreign urgent care facilities that are located off base.
Military Service has Ended (Not Retired)
You did it, you have completed your active duty commitment!
If you do not want to sign up for VA Health Care you do have some TEMPORARY coverage options available to you.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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These plans have time sensitive windows in which to apply. Failure to do so will make you ineligible!
Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP)
A premium-FREE transitional health care benefit for BOTH the Veteran and their family.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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You MUST notify TRICARE within 90 days of separation for active duty if you want to use this program! Failure to do so will make you ineligible!
Coverage
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180 days starting from the day AFTER you separate from the military. After this 180 days you may than elect to switch over to the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)
You can choose one of the following TRICARE plans:
NOTE:
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Both the Veteran and their eligible family members can utilize military hospitals and clinics.
Eligibility:
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Involuntarily separating from active duty with an Honorable Discharge.
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Separating from regular active duty service and agree to become a member of the Selected Reserve of a Reserve Component. The Service member MUST become a Selected Reservist the day immediately following release from regular active duty service to qualify.
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A National Guard or Reserve member separating from a period of more than 30 consecutive days of active duty.
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Receiving a voluntary separation incentive (VSI).
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Receiving voluntary separation pay (VSP) and aren't entitled to retired or retainer pay upon separation.
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Separating from active duty following involuntary retention (stop-loss) in support of a contingency operation.
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Separating from active duty following a voluntary agreement to stay on active duty for less than one year in support of a contingency operation.
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Receiving a sole survivorship discharge.
Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)
A health insurance plan that can be purchased for the Veteran and their family.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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Coverage MUST be Purchased within 60 days of becoming eligible. Unless you lost TRICARE Reserve Select coverage, then you only have 30 days!
NOTE:
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Technically speaking CHCBP isn't a part of TRICARE, as it is run by Humana, but it is comparable to TRICARE.
Coverage and Eligibility
Depending upon why your TRICARE coverage ended, you will have different coverage lengths.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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Character of discharge MUST be either Honorable or General.
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Category Max Length of Coverage
Active Duty Service Member 18 months
Dependent spouse or child 36 months
Full-time National Guard Member 18 months
Member covered by the Transitional Assistance Management
Program (TAMP) 18 months
Retired Reserve member covered by TRR 18 months
Selected Reserve member covered by TRS 18 months
Un-remarried former spouse 36 months
The plan itself has the same coverage as TRICARE Select, and it DOES include prescriptions.
TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)
For those members of the Selected Reserve (and their families).
Click HERE for details.
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National Guard/Reserve Members
For those NG and R's.
Click HERE for information.
Retirees
For those who did their 20 years and got out, or for those who were Medically retired.
Retired Reserve
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For information click HERE.
NOTE:
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If you were medically retired from the National Guard or Reserves you rate under retired reserve.
Retired Active Duty
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For information click HERE.