Pre-activation Benefit for National Guard and Reserve
Guard and Reserve members become eligible for TRICARE as "active duty service members" when they are activated (called or ordered to active duty for more than 30 consecutive days).
If issued delayed-effective-date active duty orders for more than 30 days in support of a contingency operation, Guard and Reserve members may qualify up to 180 days early for active duty TRICARE benefits. This "pre-activation benefit" begins on either the date the orders are issued or 180 days before reporting to active duty, whichever is later.
During the pre-activation period:
- Guard and Reserve members are covered as "active duty service members" and receive active duty medical and dental benefits.
- Eligible family members are covered as "active duty family members" and can enroll in one of TRICARE's Prime options or use TRICARE Standard and Extra.
The Service personnel office will tell members if they are eligible for pre-activation benefits when they receive their delayed-effective-date active duty orders. Learn more about pre-activation benefits:
Keep DEERS updated!
Your information must be kept up to date in DEERS.
USERRA Rights & Protections
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) provides certain rights and protections, as long as you comply with all USERRA legal requirements. For more information, contact the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at 1-800-336-4590 or www.esgr.org/userra.
Last Modified:November 21, 2011
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