TRICARE Open Season begins Monday, Nov. 9

TRICARE Open Season begins Monday, Nov. 9. If you’re eligible for TRICARE, this is your chance to enroll in a health plan or change plans for coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2027. You can make eligible changes through Tuesday, Dec. 8.

Keep reading for answers to common questions about TRICARE Open Season.

Does TRICARE Open Season apply to me?

TRICARE Open Season applies to you if you have or are eligible for one of these plans:

• TRICARE Prime
• Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
• TRICARE Prime Demo
• TRICARE Prime Remote
• TRICARE Prime Overseas
• TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas
• TRICARE Select
• TRICARE Select Overseas

How do I know if open season doesn’t apply to me?

Open season doesn’t apply to you if:

• You’re an active-duty service member.
• You’re 65 or older and have TRICARE For Life coverage. This coverage starts automatically once you have Medicare Part A and Part B.
• You have a premium-based plan, such as TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Retired Reserve, or TRICARE Young Adult. You can purchase these plans at any time during the year.

What are my options during open season?

If TRICARE Open Season applies to you, you have three options:

• Stay in your current plan. You don’t need to take any action to keep your coverage.
• Enroll in a plan. If you don’t have a TRICARE health plan now, you can enroll during open season if you qualify.
• Change your plan. Before you switch, check that your family’s information is current in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Contact your service’s personnel office if you have questions about eligibility.

How do I make changes to my plan during open season?

There are three ways to enroll in a TRICARE health plan or change your plan.

• Online: Go to milConnect.
• By phone:
  • East Region: Call Humana Military at 800-444-5445.
  • West Region: Call TriWest Healthcare Alliance at 888-874-9378.
  • USFHP: Visit Uniformed Services Family Health Plan for contact information.
  • TRICARE Prime Demo, Atlanta, Georgia and Tampa, Florida areas only: Visit TRICARE Prime Demo for more information and to see if it’s available where you live.
• By mail or fax: Send an enrollment form to your TRICARE contractor.

How do TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select compare?

TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select are the two main TRICARE health plan options, and each works differently. Here are the key differences to consider before you choose:

• Primary care manager. TRICARE Prime requires you to use a PCM who coordinates your care. TRICARE Select lets you see any TRICARE-authorized provider without choosing a PCM, as described in the TRICARE Choices in the United States Handbook.
• Referrals. TRICARE Prime requires referrals for most specialty care. TRICARE Select doesn’t require referrals for most specialty care.
• Availability. TRICARE Prime is available only in Prime Service Areas, generally near military hospitals and clinics. TRICARE Select is available everywhere.
• Costs. TRICARE Prime has fixed copayments and no annual deductible. TRICARE Select has an annual deductible and charges cost-shares based on a percentage of the bill.

2027 costs will be available in November 2026. Visit Health Plan Costs to compare costs side by side.

TRICARE Open Season is your chance to choose the health plan that fits your family’s needs. Don’t wait! Start reviewing your options today.