Losing your TRICARE eligibility can be a stressful experience, especially when it comes to maintaining health care coverage for you and your family. The Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) is designed to act as a crucial bridge during this transition. This premium-based program offers temporary health coverage, ensuring you have access to essential medical services while you navigate your next steps in civilian life. If you’re wondering, What Are My Coverage Under Continued Health Care Benefit Program?, this article will provide a comprehensive overview of the benefits, eligibility, and key aspects of CHCBP to help you understand your options.
Delving into CHCBP Coverage: What’s Included?
The CHCBP is specifically structured to mirror the coverage you were accustomed to under TRICARE Select. This means you can expect a similar level of comprehensive health benefits, providing peace of mind during a period of change. Here’s a breakdown of what are my coverage under continued health care benefit program:
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Comprehensive Medical Benefits: Just like TRICARE Select, CHCBP provides a wide range of medical services. This includes coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, outpatient care, and many preventive services. You can generally access care from civilian TRICARE-authorized providers, offering flexibility and access to a broad network of healthcare professionals.
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Prescription Drug Coverage: Maintaining access to necessary medications is vital. CHCBP ensures that your prescription needs are met, offering coverage for a wide range of prescription drugs. This benefit is a significant advantage, mirroring the pharmacy benefits you received under TRICARE Select.
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Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC): CHCBP is recognized as Minimum Essential Coverage, meeting the requirements set by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This is an important aspect, as having MEC ensures you avoid potential tax penalties under the ACA for not having health insurance. As your CHCBP coverage period nears its end, it’s crucial to consider your options for continued health coverage to maintain MEC and avoid any gaps in your healthcare protection.
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Temporary Coverage Duration: CHCBP is designed as a temporary solution, bridging the gap between your military health benefits and your future civilian health insurance plan. Depending on your eligibility category and the reason for losing TRICARE, CHCBP can provide coverage for either 18 or 36 months. This timeframe allows you ample opportunity to secure long-term health insurance.
Who is Eligible for the Continued Health Care Benefit Program?
Eligibility for CHCBP is contingent on your prior TRICARE coverage and the circumstances surrounding your loss of eligibility. To qualify for CHCBP, you must have been enrolled in and actively using one of the following TRICARE plans immediately before losing eligibility:
- TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)
- TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)
- TRICARE Young Adult
Furthermore, your separation from service, if applicable, must be under “other than adverse conditions,” meaning it was not classified as “dishonorable” or “general under dishonorable conditions.”
The following table outlines common scenarios and the corresponding length of CHCBP coverage for different categories of former beneficiaries:
| 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 TAMP | Loss of Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) coverage | Up to 18 months |
| Selected Reserve member covered by TRS | Loss of TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) coverage | Up to 18 months |
| Retired Reserve member covered by TRR | Loss of TRICARE Retired Reserve (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 access to extended coverage. It’s advisable to contact Humana Military directly for specific details regarding extended benefits.
Important Considerations for Deactivating Service Members
If you are preparing to deactivate from active duty or transition from programs like TAMP or TRICARE Reserve Select, understanding CHCBP is particularly important.
- Bridge After TAMP and TRS: CHCBP is often a follow-on option after programs like the TRICARE Assistance Management Program (TAMP) and TRICARE Reserve Select. It’s designed to provide continued coverage as you transition beyond these programs.
- Enrollment Timelines: Meeting enrollment deadlines is crucial. If you are eligible for CHCBP after losing TAMP coverage, you generally have 60 days from the loss of TAMP to enroll. If you are transitioning from TRICARE Reserve Select, the enrollment window is typically within 30 days of losing TRS coverage.
- Consult Your Personnel Office: For personalized guidance and to ensure you understand all your options, including TAMP, TRS, and CHCBP, it’s recommended to speak with your personnel office. They can provide tailored information based on your specific situation and help you navigate these transitions effectively.
How to Enroll in CHCBP and Get More Information
Humana Military is the designated contractor responsible for administering the Continued Health Care Benefit Program. They handle all aspects of CHCBP, including enrollment, authorizations, claims processing, and customer service inquiries.
To explore your eligibility for CHCBP or to enroll in the program, you can take the following steps:
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Visit the CHCBP Website: The Humana Military CHCBP website is a comprehensive resource. You can find detailed information about the program, eligibility criteria, coverage specifics, and enrollment procedures directly on their site.
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Contact Humana Military by Phone: For direct assistance and to speak with a representative who can answer your questions and guide you through the enrollment process, you can call Humana Military at 1-800-444-5445.
Conclusion: Securing Your Health Coverage with CHCBP
Understanding what are my coverage under continued health care benefit program is a vital step in ensuring continuous healthcare access for you and your family when transitioning from TRICARE. CHCBP offers a valuable, temporary solution, mirroring TRICARE Select benefits and providing a bridge to civilian health insurance. By understanding the eligibility requirements, coverage details, and enrollment process, you can effectively utilize CHCBP to maintain healthcare security during this transitional period. Remember to explore your options and enroll within the specified timeframe to take full advantage of this program.
