FALLS CHURCH, VA, December 5, 2024 - Time is running out to review and update your TRICARE health plan for 2025. TRICARE Open Season ends Tuesday, Dec. 10, marking your last day to enroll in a new plan or make changes to your health coverage. This annual period gives you the opportunity to ensure your family has the right healthcare coverage for your needs in the coming year.
“If you want to make any changes to your TRICARE health plan, the time is now,” said Zelly Zim, health systems specialist, TRICARE Health Plan Policy & Programs Branch, at the Defense Health Agency. “TRICARE Open Season is the one time of year you can change your coverage without a Qualifying Life Event. Otherwise, you may need to wait until next year’s open season.”
Who can make changes?
If you’re eligible for or currently enrolled in any of these TRICARE health plans, you can make changes during open season:
- TRICARE Prime
- US Family Health Plan
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Prime Overseas
- TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas
- TRICARE Select
- TRICARE Select Overseas
Not sure which plan fits your needs? TRICARE offers helpful online tools to guide your decision. The TRICARE Plan Finder can show you which plans you may be eligible for based on your status. Once you know your possible options, use the Compare Plans tool to see how different plans stack up against each other in terms of costs, coverage, and benefits.
Remember, open season doesn’t apply to active duty service members. It doesn’t apply to TRICARE For Life—coverage is automatic if you have Medicare Part A and Part B. Open season also doesn’t apply to premium-based plans. You can purchase the following plans at any time throughout the year:
Dental and vision coverage
Your dental and vision coverage needs attention, too. The Federal Benefits Open Season for dental and vision coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program ends Monday, Dec. 9—one day before TRICARE Open Season closes.
Remember that FEDVIP dental and vision plans are separate from your TRICARE health plan. To get FEDVIP vision coverage, you must first have coverage in a TRICARE health plan. Your eligibility for these additional benefits depends on your beneficiary type. If you’re eligible, visit benefeds.gov to purchase coverage.
What if you miss the deadline?
If you don’t make changes during TRICARE open season, you can only update your plan if you have a QLE. Certain life changes open a 90-day window when you can modify your TRICARE health plan. Common QLEs include:
- Moving to a new location
- Getting married
- Having a baby
- Retiring from active duty
- Losing or gaining other health insurance
- Change in family composition
- Change in military status
During your 90-day QLE window, you can enroll in a new plan or switch between TRICARE plans, as described in the TRICARE Qualifying Life Events Fact Sheet. The same applies to FEDVIP coverage—certain qualifying events may allow you to adjust your dental and vision coverage outside of open season.
Quick tips for open season success
- Use the TRICARE Plan Finder to explore your options.
- Compare different plans side-by-side with the Compare Plans tool.
- Consider any expected health needs for 2025.
- Check if your current providers are in-network for your chosen plan.
- Mark Dec. 9 as the last day to make dental and vision coverage changes through FEDVIP.
- Mark Dec. 10 as the last day to make changes to your TRICARE plan.
IMPORTANT: If you’ll be living in the West Region on Jan. 1, 2025, you may need to provide your payment information to TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the incoming West Region contractor, by Dec. 31. You’ll need to do this if you pay for your TRICARE coverage via bank electronic funds transfer or credit or debit card, but not if you pay by military pay system allotment. Check out the TRICARE Newsroom article “Live in the West Region? Update Your TRICARE Payment Information With TriWest” for more information.
Take advantage of TRICARE Open Season to ensure you have the right coverage for your health needs in 2025. Having the proper health coverage provides peace of mind and financial protection for you and your family throughout the year.