Who qualifies for CHCBP?

Former Active Duty Service Members (ADSM) and their families

Qualification criteria

Former ADSMs and their family members may qualify for CHCBP coverage when:

  • The sponsor is released or discharged from active duty under other than adverse conditions
  • The sponsor was entitled to medical care under a military health plan
  • For military family members to enroll, the sponsor must also enroll and purchase a family plan
  • ADSMs and their family members are not eligible for any benefits under TRICARE or the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP)

Duration of coverage: Up to 18 months

Note: Former ADSMs and their family members qualify for CHCBP when TAMP benefits expire.


Members of the Select Reserve, members of the Retired Reserve and their families

Qualification criteria

For members of the Select Reserve, members of the Retired Reserve, and their families, the CHCBP 18-month eligibility begins at the end of the active duty service or TAMP period, or upon termination of coverage under TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) or TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR). For military family members to enroll, the sponsor must also enroll and purchase a family plan.

Duration of coverage: Up to 18 months


Former spouses who have not remarried

Qualification criteria

Former spouses who have not remarried may qualify for CHCBP when:

  • They are covered under TRICARE or TAMP as dependents of a current or former service member on the day before the date of the final decree of divorce, dissolution or annulment
  • They are not eligible for TRICARE as a former spouse of a member or former member of the uniformed services

Duration of coverage: Up to 36 months

Note: Certain former spouses who have not remarried before age 55 may qualify for an unlimited duration of coverage. Learn more


Dependent spouses and children

Qualification criteria

Dependents of sponsors (includes children who were adopted or were placed in the legal custody of a uniformed service sponsor) may qualify for CHCBP when:

  • They cease to meet requirements as a dependent of a member or former member of the uniformed services
  • They were covered under TRICARE, TAMP or TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) as dependents on the day before ceasing to meet the requirements for being considered a dependent
  • They would not otherwise be eligible for any benefits under TRICARE

Duration of coverage: Up to 36 months

Note: Children between the ages of 21 - 25 who lose eligibility for TRICARE or TAMP may qualify to purchase TYA coverage instead of CHCBP. Purchasing TYA coverage after losing TRICARE or TAMP coverage offers additional coverage options and may extend the qualification to purchase CHCBP coverage. Learn more