Alyssa Lane
The US National Guard and their families have access to low-cost health insurance through the TRICARE Reserve Select healthcare program. This insurance costs $55/month for an individual and $200 for a family. If a member of the National Guard is called to active duty, they are provided with free health insurance.
Does National Guard get medical insurance?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Insurance for National Guard Soldiers and Airmen | TRICARE Reserve Select health care program |
| Cost for an individual | $55/month |
| Cost for a family | $200/month |
| Dental insurance | $12/month per person |
| Insurance when called to active duty | Free |
| Insurance for qualifying active duty | VA healthcare |
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What You'll Learn
National Guard soldiers and airmen can insure their families
Military OneSource's National Guard Family Program provides support to families of National Guard soldiers and airmen. The program includes the Child and Youth Services (CYS) initiative, which offers services to dependents of National Guard members aged 6 to 18. CYS provides resources, events, and activities to support children through the challenges of military family life.
The ARNG Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is another initiative that supports families with special needs. It works with civilian and military agencies to provide comprehensive support services to family members requiring special education, medical services, or other support.
Additionally, the Strong Bonds program assists commanders in building individual resilience by strengthening the Army family. It provides relationship education and skills training in an off-site retreat format, creating a safe and secure environment to address the impact of relocations, deployments, and military lifestyle stressors.
The Veterans Crisis Line is also available for veterans in crisis, offering confidential support 24 hours a day, every day of the year. This service can be accessed by calling, texting, or chatting online with qualified responders.
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National Guard members get free health insurance when on active duty
Members of the National Guard are eligible for free health insurance when on active duty. This is provided through the TRICARE Reserve Select healthcare program, which offers low-cost health insurance to soldiers and airmen. The program was revamped in 2007 to provide a less complicated option for National Guard members and their families.
TRICARE Reserve Select typically costs around $55 per month for an individual and $200 for a family. However, if a member of the National Guard is on active duty orders for more than 30 days, their TRICARE coverage is free for the duration of their orders. This includes periods of active duty for training, school, or deployment.
It is important to note that dental insurance is a separate plan and is not included in the TRICARE Reserve Select program. However, it is still considered affordable, costing around $12 per month for a single person.
In addition to TRICARE, National Guard members may also qualify for VA healthcare if they have performed qualifying active duty. This typically includes service-connected injuries or conditions acquired during basic training.
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Tricare Reserve Select is a low-cost health insurance option
National Guard members and their families can benefit from low-cost health insurance through Tricare Reserve Select. This premium-based healthcare plan is available to non-activated reservists and National Guard members, and it offers much lower costs than other comprehensive health plans on the open marketplace.
Tricare Reserve Select is a DoD Military Health System service, providing an excellent and affordable alternative to civilian health insurance. It is similar to commercial health insurance in that it has copays, deductibles, and premiums, but it is typically far cheaper. It is also more flexible, as it covers you even when you're overseas.
One of the most significant advantages of Tricare Reserve Select is that you don't need referrals from a primary care provider to receive specialized healthcare. You have the freedom to choose from any Tricare-authorized provider, including in-network providers, authorized non-network providers, and even military providers when available. This plan is self-managed, giving you greater control over your healthcare choices.
To be eligible for Tricare Reserve Select, you must be a member of the Selected Reserve or an eligible family member. If you don't qualify on your own, you may still be covered through a family member who is a member of the Selected Reserve and qualifies for TRS. It's important to note that you can't enroll or remain on this plan if you're on active duty orders, but you won't lose your Tricare coverage entirely during that time.
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Dental insurance is a separate, affordable plan
National Guard soldiers and airmen have access to low-cost health insurance. This includes the Tricare Reserve Select program, which costs $55 per month for an individual and $200 for a family. Dental insurance, however, is a separate plan with its own costs. Dental insurance is available for $12 per month for a single person, a price that one user describes as "still way cheaper" than other options. This separate, optional plan allows members of the National Guard to choose whether they want to include dental coverage in their health insurance. The dental plan is described as affordable, suggesting that it is a cost-effective option for those who require dental care in addition to their regular health insurance.
While the National Guard offers low-cost health insurance options, dental care is not automatically included in these plans. Dental insurance is an optional add-on, giving members the flexibility to choose a plan that suits their specific needs. This separation between health and dental insurance allows for a more tailored approach to healthcare coverage. By offering dental insurance as a separate plan, the National Guard recognizes that dental care is an important aspect of overall health and well-being, but also understands that not everyone may require the same level of dental coverage.
The affordability of the dental insurance plan is a significant advantage for members of the National Guard. At $12 per month for a single person, it is a relatively low-cost option for maintaining dental health. This affordability may encourage more individuals to prioritize their dental care and take advantage of the benefits offered by the plan. The low cost also ensures that members can access dental services without incurring a financial burden, promoting overall health and well-being within the National Guard community.
The separation of dental insurance from general health insurance allows for a more tailored and flexible approach to healthcare coverage. Members of the National Guard can choose to include dental insurance based on their individual needs and preferences. This flexibility ensures that they are not paying for coverage they do not require, making it a cost-effective option. The availability of affordable dental insurance as a separate plan empowers members of the National Guard to make informed decisions about their healthcare and take control of their overall health and dental well-being.
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VA healthcare is available after qualifying active duty
If you are a member of the National Guard, you may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you have served in the active military, naval, or air service and did not receive a dishonorable discharge. You must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty. However, this minimum duty requirement may not apply if:
- You were discharged due to a disability that was caused or made worse by your active-duty service.
- You were discharged for a hardship or "early out."
Additionally, you must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were ordered to active duty. It is important to note that if your active-duty status was only for training purposes, you do not qualify for VA health care.
If you are a transitioning active-duty service member or a returning combat veteran, you may qualify for enhanced eligibility status if you meet the minimum active-duty service and discharge requirements. Enhanced eligibility means that you will be placed in a higher priority group, making you more likely to receive benefits.
As a member of the National Guard, you may also be eligible for other VA benefits, such as the GI Bill, career counseling, VA-backed home loans, and more. You can learn more about your specific benefits and when to apply during your required Transition Assistance Program (TAP) briefing.
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Frequently asked questions
The National Guard has access to low-cost health insurance. When on active duty, they are provided with free health insurance.
Tricare Reserve Select is a health insurance program for National Guard soldiers and airmen. It costs $55/month for an individual and $200 for a family.
Yes, if on active duty orders for more than 30 days, Tricare is free for the duration of the orders.
Tricare covers medical and dental insurance. Dental insurance is a separate plan and costs $12/month per person.
National Guard members can only qualify for VA healthcare if they have performed qualifying active duty or for service-connected injuries.
