TRICARE gray period
09-02-2015, 10:21 AM
#1
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2014
Position: SWA FO
Posts: 19
TRICARE gray period
I’m trying to get some help/advice on my next COA and to figure out what many of you did when you were in my situation in regards to medical coverage/TRICARE. For clarity, I didn’t coming running to APC until I’ve used all other resources and spent hours researching/being on hold.
I recently separated from active duty and will be a Selected Reservist “the day immediately following release from regular active duty service” when all the paperwork catches up at the personnel center and is retroactive [Palace Front]. I’ve been told from ARPC that it could be 2-3 weeks after my separation date before the orders are cut. I’m in a pool waiting for a class date, so no airline medical coverage is available.
From what I have been told by my fellow reservists and found on the TRICARE website is that I’m supposed to be eligible for TAMP (Transitional Assistance Management Program) until I’m able enroll in Reserve Select. However, after talking to TRICARE, DEERS, ARPC, & AFPC, all of them say I’m not eligible because I have a “normal (non-contingency)” separation code of FBK which "disqualifies me." TRICARE says my coverage timeline will be retroactive so for tax reasons I won’t have to worry about Obamacare penalties, but that doesn’t help me if one of my kids needs to go to a doctor.
Other than not get sick or hurt, what do you think I should about medical coverage for my family while in this gray period? I’m sure some of you ran into the same problem and if you didn’t, what did you do differently? Thanks for the help.
I recently separated from active duty and will be a Selected Reservist “the day immediately following release from regular active duty service” when all the paperwork catches up at the personnel center and is retroactive [Palace Front]. I’ve been told from ARPC that it could be 2-3 weeks after my separation date before the orders are cut. I’m in a pool waiting for a class date, so no airline medical coverage is available.
From what I have been told by my fellow reservists and found on the TRICARE website is that I’m supposed to be eligible for TAMP (Transitional Assistance Management Program) until I’m able enroll in Reserve Select. However, after talking to TRICARE, DEERS, ARPC, & AFPC, all of them say I’m not eligible because I have a “normal (non-contingency)” separation code of FBK which "disqualifies me." TRICARE says my coverage timeline will be retroactive so for tax reasons I won’t have to worry about Obamacare penalties, but that doesn’t help me if one of my kids needs to go to a doctor.
Other than not get sick or hurt, what do you think I should about medical coverage for my family while in this gray period? I’m sure some of you ran into the same problem and if you didn’t, what did you do differently? Thanks for the help.
09-02-2015, 11:50 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Posts: 109
Special Programs - Continued Health Care Benefit Program
It's not TAMP, but a program to bridge the gap. For a family, just shy of $3k per quarter.
Once you are SELRES, then the cost is ~200/month for a family
It's not TAMP, but a program to bridge the gap. For a family, just shy of $3k per quarter.
Once you are SELRES, then the cost is ~200/month for a family
09-03-2015, 01:59 AM
#4
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: DAL DTW717A
Posts: 93
Similar situation on the Navy side...
I resigned / separated, then going straight into SELRES, which makes me eligible for TAMP. There is a period of 1-3 weeks after my separation date that I will not show up in DEERS, and so my insurance won't show up at the doctor's office. My understanding is that TAMP covers you from day 1 off active duty (if you're going straight to SELRES) for 180 days, then I will enroll in Tricare Reserve Select no later than the 20th of my last month of TAMP. During the gray period our hospital will just bill us personally, then once the paperwork catches up we will have to file Tricare claims after the fact.
For the Navy, the Career Transition Office is the point of contact for making this switch go smoothly and (in our case) expediting the transition paperwork to reduce this "gray period." My CTO counselor is going to be walking my package through the approval chain as my wife will be giving birth to twins a mere 8 days after my last day on active duty. Perfect timing for some added stress!
I resigned / separated, then going straight into SELRES, which makes me eligible for TAMP. There is a period of 1-3 weeks after my separation date that I will not show up in DEERS, and so my insurance won't show up at the doctor's office. My understanding is that TAMP covers you from day 1 off active duty (if you're going straight to SELRES) for 180 days, then I will enroll in Tricare Reserve Select no later than the 20th of my last month of TAMP. During the gray period our hospital will just bill us personally, then once the paperwork catches up we will have to file Tricare claims after the fact.
For the Navy, the Career Transition Office is the point of contact for making this switch go smoothly and (in our case) expediting the transition paperwork to reduce this "gray period." My CTO counselor is going to be walking my package through the approval chain as my wife will be giving birth to twins a mere 8 days after my last day on active duty. Perfect timing for some added stress!
09-03-2015, 12:21 PM
#6
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2014
Position: SWA FO
Posts: 19
Originally Posted by Lurking
Did you talk to a Tricare reserve specialist. Our last drill they came and talked us and they told us not to talk to reg Tricare people but ask for the reserve office. I have heard several people got good help.
09-03-2015, 01:24 PM
#7
Running the House
Joined APC: Jan 2015
Posts: 119
Originally Posted by AggieRush03
I will try and get a Reserve specific Tricare person on the line next time I call. As 321pilot mentioned, this is also what I gather from talking to the Tricare folks. You are kind of covered, sort of, but only after a several weeks. You will have insurance, but you will have no way to prove it. It's funny because with every person I ask about TAMP, the first question is whether my wife is pregnant. I wonder if you can only get answers if your answer is yes!
09-05-2015, 07:43 PM
#8
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2014
Posts: 10
Aggie, not all separations receive TAMP. There's a code that must be on your separation orders and in DEERS.
Last year with all the AF vol/invol separations some people were getting it and others weren't without much rhyme or reason. If you think you're supposed to be covered, work with MPF and have the reg.
As for period between sep and starting Reserve work, any hospital stay would be covered by TAMP but may have to be claimed after the fact.
I used my 6 mos of TAMP and now use TRS. We've had more hospital visits this year than all the time I spent on AD combined and have been more than pleased with how well TRS has worked.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Last year with all the AF vol/invol separations some people were getting it and others weren't without much rhyme or reason. If you think you're supposed to be covered, work with MPF and have the reg.
As for period between sep and starting Reserve work, any hospital stay would be covered by TAMP but may have to be claimed after the fact.
I used my 6 mos of TAMP and now use TRS. We've had more hospital visits this year than all the time I spent on AD combined and have been more than pleased with how well TRS has worked.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
09-15-2015, 04:20 PM
#9
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 89
I completed a Palace Front last year and I was covered for 6 months under TAMP. Did not pay a dime for Tricare coverage until the month after it expired and I started paying for TRS. I'd say you got hosed.
It did take a while for the paperowrk from joining the Guard to catch up with AFPC, so a doctor's visit shortly after my DOS generated a bill for like $100. I sat on it and after I verified that I was covered under TAMP with AFPC (sorry, can't remember exactly which branch but I know I got the number from their website), I called the office and had them resubmit the claim to Tricare. It was paid in full.
It did take a while for the paperowrk from joining the Guard to catch up with AFPC, so a doctor's visit shortly after my DOS generated a bill for like $100. I sat on it and after I verified that I was covered under TAMP with AFPC (sorry, can't remember exactly which branch but I know I got the number from their website), I called the office and had them resubmit the claim to Tricare. It was paid in full.
10-06-2015, 05:31 AM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2009
Position: Lowest Pay I Could Find
Posts: 1,044
Originally Posted by Max Relax Roll
I completed a Palace Front last year and I was covered for 6 months under TAMP. Did not pay a dime for Tricare coverage until the month after it expired and I started paying for TRS. I'd say you got hosed.
It did take a while for the paperowrk from joining the Guard to catch up with AFPC, so a doctor's visit shortly after my DOS generated a bill for like $100. I sat on it and after I verified that I was covered under TAMP with AFPC (sorry, can't remember exactly which branch but I know I got the number from their website), I called the office and had them resubmit the claim to Tricare. It was paid in full.
It did take a while for the paperowrk from joining the Guard to catch up with AFPC, so a doctor's visit shortly after my DOS generated a bill for like $100. I sat on it and after I verified that I was covered under TAMP with AFPC (sorry, can't remember exactly which branch but I know I got the number from their website), I called the office and had them resubmit the claim to Tricare. It was paid in full.
If you don't get tamp, just take the kids to the dr and tell them you are Tricare standard. You can back date the TRS coverage by 30 days, so as long as you are set with paperwork/DEERS by 30 days after your sep you are good to go.
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