SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA4104276<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It's too late for me, I think, but I'm wondering if I did something wrong. I realized I'd need health insurance when Tricare coverage ended, so I started looking for plans. The Marketplace tells me I can't get coverage until I submit a letter stating my previous coverage has ended. DEERS says I can't get that letter until after I actually ETS. Once I do get the letter and apply, I can't get coverage until the beginning of next month at best. Is there any way to avoid this situation?How do you avoid a gap in health insurance at ETS?2018-11-06T06:04:07-05:00SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA4104276<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It's too late for me, I think, but I'm wondering if I did something wrong. I realized I'd need health insurance when Tricare coverage ended, so I started looking for plans. The Marketplace tells me I can't get coverage until I submit a letter stating my previous coverage has ended. DEERS says I can't get that letter until after I actually ETS. Once I do get the letter and apply, I can't get coverage until the beginning of next month at best. Is there any way to avoid this situation?How do you avoid a gap in health insurance at ETS?2018-11-06T06:04:07-05:002018-11-06T06:04:07-05:00SSG Carlos Madden4105233<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>When I got out I think I was covered by Tricare for 6 months after I came off AD. That'll help fill the gap. Obviously being covered in case you need health care is the primary concern but if you're also worried about being covered to comply with state or federal laws you may have an exemption via the VA. For example, in MA I never had to worry about a gap in health care because the VA has sent me a letter. When I filed my taxes online, it just asked "Are you a veteran?" and skips the proof of health care steps.Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Nov 6 at 2018 12:01 PM2018-11-06T12:01:32-05:002018-11-06T12:01:32-05:00Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS4105637<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It gets squirrelly because you are still partially covered as a Vet. You'll want to go to the DeptVA website and look at the VHA links to see what your actual coverage is and what your priority group is. As <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="554971" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/554971-ssg-carlos-madden">SSG Carlos Madden</a> mentioned, there is some secondary coverage, but I am not sure if it was Tricare of VA related.<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.va.gov/HEALTHBENEFITS/apply/veterans.asp">https://www.va.gov/HEALTHBENEFITS/apply/veterans.asp</a><br /><br />"Served in a Theater of Operations for 5 years post discharge."<br /><br />I believe this applies to you <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default">
<div class="pta-link-card-picture">
</div>
<div class="pta-link-card-content">
<p class="pta-link-card-title">
<a target="blank" href="https://www.va.gov/HEALTHBENEFITS/apply/veterans.asp">veterans.asp</a>
</p>
<p class="pta-link-card-description"></p>
</div>
<div class="clearfix"></div>
</div>
Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 6 at 2018 2:28 PM2018-11-06T14:28:11-05:002018-11-06T14:28:11-05:00SFC Dennis A.4105749<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I retired from the Army so that wasn't a gap.Response by SFC Dennis A. made Nov 6 at 2018 3:00 PM2018-11-06T15:00:28-05:002018-11-06T15:00:28-05:002018-11-06T06:04:07-05:00