By Rodney Jackson, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Public Affairs
FORT HOOD, Texas – Fort Hood-area beneficiaries who want to change their TRICARE health plan or review their dental and vision coverage should mark their calendars for Nov. 9, when the annual TRICARE Open Season enrollment periods begin.
Eligible TRICARE beneficiaries have until Dec. 8 to enroll in, switch between or disenroll from TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select.
Eligible beneficiaries who need dental or vision coverage should review FEDVIP options separately, as its enrollment period runs six days longer than the TRICARE period. FEDVIP participants can review available plans and make changes to their coverage through Dec. 14.
Changes to TRICARE coverage made during open season take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Beneficiaries who are satisfied with their current TRICARE health plan do not need to take action to continue that coverage into 2027. However, those who want to change plans, adjust individual or family enrollment, or enroll for the first time should review their options before the deadline.
TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select offer different approaches to managing health care. Prime is a managed-care option in which a primary care manager coordinates care. It has no deductible, but referrals are required for most specialty care.
Select gives beneficiaries more flexibility to manage their own care without a primary care manager. It has an annual deductible, but referrals are not required for primary care or most specialty care.
The right option depends on a beneficiary’s health care needs and preferences, so reviewing plan features before making a change can help beneficiaries prepare for the coming year.
The annual open season does not apply to every TRICARE program. Beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE For Life, TRICARE Young Adult, TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Retired Reserve, the Continued Health Care Benefit Program and the Transitional Assistance Management Program are not subject to TRICARE Open Season rules.
Active-duty service members also cannot make health plan changes through TRICARE Open Season.
Beneficiaries should also make sure their information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS, is accurate and up to date. Maintaining current information is essential to establishing TRICARE eligibility.
For enrollment details, eligibility information and guidance on comparing health plan options, visit https://tricare.mil/openseason.
