National Guard or Reserve Members
Health care for National Guard and Reserve members is based on the sponsor's military status:
- Not on active duty orders (not activated)
- Activated (called or ordered to active duty for more than 30 consecutive days)
Coverage When Not on Active Duty Orders
Typically, National Guard and Reserve members are only covered for medical care under the following circumstances when they are not on active duty orders:
- You may qualify for Line of Duty Care for any injury, illness or disease that occurred or was aggravated in the line of duty (i.e. weekend drills, any period of active duty, etc.).
- You may qualify for and purchase TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS), a premium-based health care plan for Selected Reserve members.
Coverage When Activated
When activated on federal orders, you become entitled to the same military benefits as active duty service members. Once activated, TRICARE is the only health benefit you will use. Depending on where you are stationed, you will enroll in one of the following TRICARE Prime options:
- TRICARE Prime: Available in the 50 United States in areas near military treatment facilities (MTFs) known as Prime Service Areas.
- TRICARE Prime Remote: Available in the 50 United States in designated remote locations away from MTFs.
- TRICARE Prime Overseas: Available in overseas locations, including U.S. Territories, near MTFs.
- TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas: Available in remote overseas locations.
While you're automatically covered by one of these options, you must enroll by completing an enrollment application. You will probably enroll when you in-process at your final duty station.
Coverage When Deactivated
Your military status may be in a constant state of transition. Once you leave active duty, or deactivate, you may be eligible for 180 days of transitional health coverage under the Transitional Assistance Management Program.
- Learn more about benefits for National Guard and Reserve Members
Does TRICARE provide dental coverage?
You may purchase the TRICARE Dental Program when you're not on active duty. When activated, you become eligible for active duty dental benefits. >>Learn More
Does TRICARE cover prescriptions?
Yes, TRICARE offers a robust pharmacy benefit. You are eligible for prescription drug coverage when you are enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select, when you are on active duty orders and when you're covered under the Transitional Assistance Management Program.
What will I pay out-of-pocket?
Usually, you'll pay nothing out-of-pocket for any care you receive. If you do have to pay for something, you'll be able to file a claim with TRICARE for a full reimbursement.
I have family members. Are they also covered by TRICARE?
If you have a family, your spouse and children will also be covered by TRICARE, as long as they are registered as your "dependents" in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
- Before activated, you may purchase TRS Member-and-Family coverage if you qualify for TRS.
- When activated, eligible family members have other health plan options in addition to the Prime options listed above.
- If you have dependent parents or parents-in-law, they may also be eligible for some TRICARE health benefits.
Last Modified:March 6, 2012
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