As a military spouse, you know firsthand of the stress that comes with frequent relocations, deployments and others issues that your spouse’s affiliation forces your family to deal with. The benefits provided by the military help to ease some of that burden. Now, as you prepare for your divorce, you may be rightly concerned about how such an action will impact yours and your children’s eligibility for such benefits. One of the main advantages offered to military families (and one of the most difficult to quickly replace) is insurance coverage through Tricare. The potential for continued access to such coverage is often the first question many in your same position ask when they come to us here at The Law Office of Kristen L. Campbell, LLC.
The good news is that your kids will remain covered by Tricare until they reach the age of majority. That coverage can continue even after they reach the age of 18 in certain situations (such as going off to college). Yet what about you? Securing employment through which you can receive group health plan coverage can be difficult immediately following your divorce.
Fortunately, according to Tricare’s website, you can continue to receive coverage if your case meets the “20/20/20 Rule” (Your ex-spouse having 20 years of creditable military service, your marriage having lasted 20 years, and your marriage having overlapped 20 years of your ex-spouse’s service). You may also be eligible for continued coverage if only 15 years of your marriage overlapped your ex-spouse’s service. In such a case, however, your eligibility lasts only one year from the date your divorce was finalized.
Your eligibility for Tricare ends once you purchase private coverage, secure insurance benefits through an employer, or you re-marry. More information on your eligibility for military benefits following your divorce can be found here on our site.
