Military Tricare Insurance for Divorcees

Military Tricare Insurance

One of the many perks of being in the armed forces, is the great medical benefits that go along with it. Tricare medical insurance is an extremely comprehensive program for those on active duty, retirees and their family. In a divorce action, whether or not the former spouse is able to partake of this comprehensive medical coverage depends on three basic factors and is called the 20-20-20 rule. For full details, contact a Colorado Springs Military Divorce attorney.

Three Tricare Plans

The three basic tricare plans are Tricare Prime, Tricare Standard, and Tricare Extra. By default Service Members (SMs) are registered in the Tricare standard plan which is more expensive than Tricare Prime, but also allows the flexibility of seeking treatment outside of military facilities. Tricare Prime, being cheaper is more suitable for those who will rely solely on Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) for their healthcare.

Tricare Extra is a sort of add on program that doesn't require enrolment or an annual fee. It's just that if you choose to seek treatment from a Tricare Extra povider, the co payment is a bit cheaper and you don't have to file your own insurance claims.

Former Spouse Coverage

As noted above, the 20-20-20 rule is applied for former spouses seeking Tricare coverage. It basically means that the marriage should have lasted at least 20 years, the SM should have served for at least 20 years, and there is an overlap of at least 20 years between the marriage and the service.

One of the most important points about Tricare medical coverage for a former spouse, is that it doesn't cost the SM anything extra. This could be an important factor in reducing the amount of alimony that is awarded to the former spouse (if any). It's wise to keep this in mind in case you're approaching the deadline of 20 years and are planning to get divorced. It might be worth it to hang on and stay married until the 20 years are up, and then proceed.

Of course, the same goes for early retirement. Try and stay in service until twenty years have passed, and you're assured that your spouse will get Tricare coverage in case of a divorce.

Finding a Colorado Springs Military Divorce Attorney

Just to make sure you're fully covered, it's important to engage the services of a lawyer who knows what's what and you can be sure of. Our Clawson & Clawson attorneys are very experienced in these matters and can make sure that you get what you deserve. They will also be able to advise you as to how to proceed. Contact us for a free initial consultation.