#### § 161.16 Benefits for transitional health care members and dependents.

This section shows the benefits for THC members and their eligible dependents. THC (formerly the TAMP) was instituted in section 502 of Public Law 101-510, “Department of Defense Appropriations Bill Fiscal Year 1991” effective October 1, 1990. Section 706 of [Public Law 108-375](https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/108/public/375), “National Defense Authorization Act of for Fiscal Year 2005” made the THC program permanent and made the medical eligibility 180 days for all eligible uniformed services members. Section 651 of [Public Law 110-181](https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/110/public/181) extended 2 years' commissary and exchange benefits to THC members. Section 734 of [Public Law 110-417](https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/110/public/417), “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009” extended THC benefits to uniformed service members separating from active duty who agree to become members of the SelRes of the Ready Reserve of a reserve component. Uniformed service members separated as uncharacterized entry-level separations do not qualify for THC.

Table 15 to Subpart C of Part 161—Benefits for THC Members and Dependents

| | CHC | DC | C | MWR | E |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| THC Member (Self) | 1 | 1 | 2, 3 | 2, 3 | 2, 3. |
| Spouse | 1 | 1 | 2, 3 | 2, 3 | 2, 3. |
| Children, Unmarried, Under 21 Years: | | | | | |
| Legitimate, adopted, stepchild, illegitimate child of record of female member, or illegitimate child of male member whose paternity has been judicially determined or voluntarily acknowledged | 1 | 1 | 2, 3, 4 | 2, 3, 4 | 2, 3, 4. |
| Ward | 1, 6 | 1, 6 | 2, 3, 6 | 2, 3, 6 | 2, 3, 6. |
| Pre-adoptive Child | 1, 7 | 1, 7 | 2, 3, 4, 7 | 2, 3, 4, 7 | 2, 3, 4, 7. |
| Foster Child | No | No | 2, 3, 4 | 2, 3, 4 | 2, 3, 4. |
| Children, Unmarried, 21 Years and Over | 1, 8 | 1, 8 | 2, 3, 9 | 2, 3, 9 | 2, 3, 9. |
| Parent, Parent-in-Law, Stepparent, or Parent-by-Adoption | No | 1, 5 | 2, 3, 5 | 2, 3, 5 | 2, 3, 5. |
| | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Notes:** | | | | | |
| 1. Yes, medical entitlement for 180 days beginning on the date after the member separated from the qualifying active duty period. There is no exception based on entitlement to Medicare Part A. The THC eligible sponsor and eligible dependents receive the medical benefits as if they were active duty eligible dependents. | | | | | |
| 2. No, if the member: | | | | | |
| a. Separated on or after January 1, 2001, but before October 1, 2007. | | | | | |
| b. Separated in accordance with [10 U.S.C. 1145(a)(2)(F)](https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/10/1145). | | | | | |
| c. Separated from active duty to join the SelRes or the Ready Reserve of a Reserve Component. | | | | | |
| 3. Yes, if the member was separated during the period beginning on October 1, 1990, through December 31, 2001, or after October 1, 2007. Entitlement shall be for 2 years, beginning on the date the member separated. | | | | | |
| 4. Yes, if dependent on an authorized sponsor for over 50 percent of the child's support. | | | | | |
| 5. Yes, if dependent on an authorized sponsor for over 50 percent of the parent's support and residing in the sponsor's household. | | | | | |
| 6. Yes, if, for determination of dependency made on or after July 1, 1994, placed in the legal custody of the member or former member as a result of a court of competent jurisdiction in the United States (or possession of the United States) for a period of at least 12 consecutive months; and: | | | | | |
| a. Is dependent on the member for over 50 percent support. | | | | | |
| b. Resides with the member or former member unless separated by the necessity of uniformed service or to receive institutional care as a result of a disability or incapacitation or under such other circumstances as the administering Secretary may, by regulation, prescribe. | | | | | |
| 7. Yes, if, for determinations of dependency made on or after October 5, 1994, placed in the home of the member or former member by a placement agency (recognized by the Secretary of Defense) or by another source authorized by State or local law to provide adoption placement, in anticipation of the legal adoption by the member or former member. | | | | | |
| 8. Yes, if the child: | | | | | |
| a. Has not attained the age of 23, is enrolled in a full-time course of study at an institution of higher learning approved by the administering Secretary, and is dependent on the authorized sponsor for over 50 percent of the child's support; or | | | | | |
| b. Is incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical incapacity that existed before age 21, or occurred before the age of 23 while a full-time student while a dependent of a member or former member, and is dependent on the authorized sponsor for over 50 percent of the child's support. | | | | | |
| 9. Yes, if the child: | | | | | |
| a. Has not attained the age of 23, is enrolled in a full-time course of study at an institution of higher learning approved by the administering Secretary, and is dependent on the authorized sponsor for over 50 percent of the child's support; or | | | | | |
| b. Is incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical incapacity and is dependent on the authorized sponsor for over 50 percent of the child's support. | | | | | |

[[81 FR 74879](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/81-FR-74879), Oct. 27, 2016, as amended at [89 FR 11184](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/89-FR-11184), Feb. 14, 2024]