TRICARE coverage ends for several reasons in 2026: a service member separates from active duty, a Guard or Reserve member leaves active orders, a dependent child ages out at 21 (23 for full-time students), a military divorce becomes final, or a Young Adult plan ends at 26. Each of these counts as loss of minimum essential coverage, which is a qualifying life event (QLE) under federal rules at healthcare.gov. That QLE opens a 60-day Marketplace Special Enrollment Period, and the clock is shorter than most families expect. Separating service members often get a premium-free 180-day bridge through the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP), but the Marketplace window can open up to 60 days before TAMP ends, so planning must start early. Families who wait until the last week frequently end up with a gap in coverage or a plan whose network excludes their current doctors. The good news is that three solid pathways exist: Marketplace plans with premium tax credits, Medicaid or CHIP if household income is low, and the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) as a short-term bridge. This guide shows how to choose between them, with exact 2026 dates and dollar figures from TRICARE.mil, healthcare.gov, and medicaid.gov.
Federal rules treat TRICARE as minimum essential coverage, so losing it works like losing an employer plan. Marketplace premium tax credits for 2026 are available at household incomes from 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, and the 400% subsidy cliff returned on January 1, 2026 after the enhanced credits expired. Medicaid income limits in the 40 expansion states plus DC top out at 138% FPL, which is $22,025 for a single adult in 2026. Households that fit under that line should apply to Medicaid first, since it costs nothing and has no enrollment deadline. Veterans should also check VA health care, which is separate from TRICARE and does not require a Marketplace plan. The sections below list the steps in order, a side-by-side comparison of CHCBP, COBRA, Medicaid, and Marketplace costs, a household-size income table for 2026, the documents to gather, and the state rules that change your options. Reading time is about nine minutes; the first step takes five minutes online.
7 Steps to Get Coverage
Common Mistakes That Cost People Thousands
Military families lose the most money and coverage through these 2026 errors:
- Assuming TRICARE continues automatically after separation. TAMP lasts 180 days only for eligible members, and then coverage ends.
- Missing the 60-day CHCBP election window (30 days for TRICARE Reserve Select). Late applications are denied, and no appeal restores the window.
- Paying CHCBP for the full 18 months by default. Marketplace plans with 2026 premium tax credits are usually cheaper than $701/mo.
- Reporting retirement pay or old military income instead of projected 2026 MAGI. Subsidies are based on expected income for the coverage year.
- Letting TRICARE lapse for unpaid premiums, then expecting an SEP. Loss of coverage for nonpayment does not qualify for the Marketplace SEP.
Medicaid Eligibility After TRICARE Ends in 2026
Medicaid is the first pathway to check when TRICARE ends in 2026, because it costs nothing and accepts applications year-round per medicaid.gov. In the 40 expansion states plus DC, adults qualify at 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, which is $22,025 for a single person and $45,540 for a family of 4 in 2026. State programs use local brand names: California's Medi-Cal, Arizona's AHCCCS, Massachusetts's MassHealth, Tennessee's TennCare, Connecticut's HUSKY Health, Washington's Apple Health, and Oregon's OHP. Medicaid uses current monthly income, so a separating service member whose military pay has stopped may qualify even if last year's income was high. Military retirement pay, civilian wages, and unemployment all count, while some disability compensation from the VA does not. Children qualify at much higher incomes through CHIP, often 200% to 300% FPL in 2026, and CHIP is also open year-round. The 10 non-expansion states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming) have far lower adult limits, so Marketplace plans fill the gap there. Medicaid applications can run alongside a Marketplace application, and healthcare.gov routes you to the right program automatically.
Why Each Document Matters for the TRICARE Loss SEP
Healthcare.gov asks for proof that your qualifying coverage ended, and an unverified loss ends the SEP application. A TRICARE termination notice or DEERS eligibility record shows the exact end date, which fixes the 60-day window. Separation orders or a DD Form 214 back up the date when the notice is delayed. Pay stubs, retirement pay statements, or an unemployment award letter support the projected 2026 income used to calculate your premium tax credit. Social Security numbers let the Marketplace verify income with the IRS. Proof of immigration status matters only for family members who are not citizens. A Humana Military enrollment confirmation matters if you elected CHCBP, because the Marketplace may ask why you have overlapping coverage. Section 9831 of HIPAA creditable-coverage rules also explain why a certificate of prior coverage helps with any new employer plan that has a waiting period. Gather these documents before you start the application, since uploads must arrive within 30 days of the request or the SEP enrollment is canceled. Keep copies of every notice for the 2027 tax filing season.
Retroactive Coverage and Avoiding a Gap in 2026
Marketplace coverage is not retroactive, so timing decides whether you have a gap. Select a plan before TRICARE ends and coverage starts the first of the month after the end date. Select a plan after TRICARE ends and coverage starts the first of the month after plan selection. A December 31, 2026 end date with plan selection on December 20 gives continuous coverage from January 1, 2027. Medicaid can be retroactive up to 3 months before the application month in most states in 2026, though federal law enacted in 2025 shortens retroactive windows for applications starting January 1, 2027. CHCBP coverage generally continues from the TRICARE end date when you enroll on time and pay the first premium, which makes CHCBP the main tool for closing a short gap. TAMP itself begins the day after separation, so a separating service member rarely has a gap during the first 180 days. The real risk arrives when TAMP ends and the Marketplace window has already closed. Mark the 60-day deadline on your calendar the day you learn your TRICARE end date, and apply in the first two weeks of the window.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SEP window when TRICARE ends in 2026?
The Marketplace SEP window is 60 days before and 60 days after your TRICARE end date. If TRICARE ends December 31, 2026, you can enroll from November 1, 2026 through March 1, 2027 at healthcare.gov. Enroll before the end date and your Marketplace plan starts the first of the month after TRICARE ends. Enroll after and the plan starts the first of the month after you select it. CHCBP has its own 60-day election window from the TRICARE end date, or 30 days for TRICARE Reserve Select members. Medicaid and CHIP are open year-round, with no clock at all, so apply as soon as you know your end date.
How do I document the end of TRICARE for an SEP application?
Healthcare.gov asks you to upload proof that TRICARE ended, and the most accepted item is a TRICARE termination notice or a DEERS eligibility record showing the end date. Separation orders or a DD Form 214 can support the date for service members leaving active duty. Upload the file within 30 days of the Marketplace request, or the SEP enrollment is canceled. Log in to milConnect to print your DEERS record, or call the Defense Manpower Data Center. Healthcare.gov publishes the list of accepted documents on its verification page, so check it before you apply. Keep copies for your 2027 tax filing season.
What happens if I miss the SEP window after TRICARE ends?
Missing the 60-day Marketplace SEP means you wait for the next ACA Open Enrollment Period, which runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 for 2027 coverage. Coverage that begins after a missed window starts January 1 or February 1, 2027, so you carry months without insurance and pay full price for care. Medicaid and CHIP are not affected, since both accept applications year-round per medicaid.gov. CHCBP cannot be added late: the 60-day deadline is firm. Another qualifying life event, such as a move or new baby, can reopen a fresh 60-day SEP, so check whether one applies before paying out of pocket.
Can I get retroactive coverage after TRICARE ends?
Marketplace plans are not retroactive: coverage starts the first of the month after TRICARE ends if you enroll early, or the first of the month after you select a plan if you enroll late. Medicaid can reach back up to 3 months before your application month in most states in 2026, though federal law enacted in 2025 shortens retroactive windows for applications filed from January 1, 2027. CHCBP coverage generally continues from the TRICARE end date when you enroll within 60 days and pay on time, so confirm the effective date with Humana Military at 800-444-5445. TAMP begins the day after separation with no gap.
What is the difference between COBRA, CHCBP, and the Marketplace after TRICARE?
CHCBP is TRICARE's COBRA-style plan, run by Humana Military at $2,103 per quarter individual or $5,339 per quarter family in 2026, for up to 18 months (service members) or 36 months (dependents). COBRA applies only to employer plans and costs 102% of the full premium. Marketplace plans use 2026 premium tax credits that cut costs sharply at incomes from 100% to 400% FPL. Choose Medicaid first if income is low, a Marketplace plan for most households, and CHCBP only as a short bridge to keep current providers while your Marketplace plan starts.
What state-specific rules apply when TRICARE ends?
State rules change mainly through Medicaid expansion and state Marketplaces. The 40 expansion states plus DC cover adults up to 138% FPL, about $22,025 for one person in 2026, while the 10 non-expansion states, including Texas and Florida with large military populations, cover far fewer adults. California runs Covered California and Medi-Cal, Massachusetts runs the Health Connector and MassHealth, and Arizona uses AHCCCS. Virginia and North Carolina, both with major bases, expanded Medicaid. Check your state agency for CHIP limits, since children often qualify at 200% to 300% FPL in 2026.
Do I qualify for Medicaid after TRICARE ends?
You qualify for Medicaid if your 2026 household income is below your state's limit, which is 138% FPL in expansion states: $22,025 for one person, $29,863 for two, and $45,540 for four. Medicaid counts current monthly income, so a service member whose military pay stopped at separation may qualify right away. Military retirement pay and civilian wages count, while some VA disability compensation does not. Apply at healthcare.gov or your state agency such as Medi-Cal, AHCCCS, or MassHealth. Medicaid has no deadline, and the household-size table above shows the limit for each family size.
What happens to my children's coverage when TRICARE ends?
Children usually keep TRICARE as long as the sponsor is eligible, but they lose it at age 21 (23 for full-time students) or when the sponsor separates without TAMP or retirement. Children's coverage ending also opens a 60-day Marketplace SEP. CHIP covers children at higher incomes than Medicaid, often 200% to 300% FPL in 2026, and enrollment is year-round. State brands include Medi-Cal for Kids in California, AllKids in Illinois, and NJ FamilyCare in New Jersey. Dependents can also elect CHCBP for up to 36 months. Aged-out young adults should compare TRICARE Young Adult with a Marketplace plan.
