Soldiers from the Vermont Army National Guard assist the Vermont Food Bank with distributing meals to those who may be food insecure during the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Army National Guard/Sgt. 1st Class Jason Alvarez)

By Jim Absher

National Guard members mobilized in support of the military's COVID-19 response are now eligible for extended Tricare benefits under the Transitional Assistance Management Program, or TAMP.

This change, mandated by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, gives eligible Guard members up to 180 days of free insurance.

TAMP is available for separating members and continues their Tricare coverage for 180 days with no premiums, allowing them to transition to a private insurance plan after leaving the service.

See: Transitional Health Care Coverage

Under TAMP, separating members are eligible for:

• Tricare Prime
• Tricare Prime Overseas
• Tricare Select
• Tricare Select Overseas
• The U.S. Family Health Plan
• The Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)

TAMP eligibility is determined by the military and documented in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS. 

DEERS is a database of information on uniformed services members (sponsors), U.S.-sponsored foreign military, DoD and uniformed services civilians, other personnel as directed by the DoD, and their family members. You need to register in DEERS to get TRICARE.

Members may view their TAMP eligibility online at the milConnect website.