An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | Nov. 5, 2024

Your Comprehensive TRICARE Open Season Checklist: Prepare for Nov. 11

By TRICARE Communications

Did you know that TRICARE Open Season is right around the corner? Open season runs from Nov. 11 to Dec. 10 this year, giving you the chance to change your health plan for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2025.

“Open season is your opportunity to make changes to your health plan for the coming year,” said Shane Pham, management and program analyst, TRICARE Health Plan Policy and Programs, at the Defense Health Agency. “Because there are new TRICARE regional contracts in the U.S. starting Jan. 1, it’s important to be proactive. Check if you need to take steps to change your coverage.”

Follow this detailed checklist to ensure you’re fully prepared.

Determine if open season applies to you

TRICARE Open Season is for beneficiaries enrolled in or eligible for:

Important notes:

Even if open season doesn’t apply to you, you may still need to take certain actions this year. If you live in the new West Region, or in a state that’s moving to the West Region on Jan. 1, you may need to provide your payment information to TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the incoming West Region contractor, by Jan. 1. You must do this if you pay by bank electronic funds transfer, or debit or credit card, but not if you pay by military pay system allotment—allotment payments will transfer automatically. You can find out more at tricare.mil/west.

Review your current plan in detail

  • List your current plan’s benefits and coverage.
  • Review your out-of-pocket costs for the past year.
  • Identify any services or medications for which you need a referral.
  • Consider upcoming health needs for you and your family members.
  • Evaluate your satisfaction with current healthcare providers and facilities.

Explore your options thoroughly

  • Use the TRICARE Plan Finder. Answer a few questions to see what plans you may be eligible for.
  • Compare plans using the TRICARE Compare Plans Tool. Note differences in coverage, provider networks, and referral requirements.
  • Review your 2024 costs carefully. (Note: 2025 costs are now available. Take note of any changes from 2024, especially in enrollment fees and copayments.)
  • Check your regional contractor’s provider directory to see if your preferred providers are in-network. If you live in the East Region, you can access Humana’s provider directory. Additionally, TriWest’s provider directory is now live!

Verify your information in DEERS

Log in to milConnect. Verify personal information for all family members:

  • Names, Social Security numbers, and birthdates
  • Addresses
  • Phone numbers
  • Email addresses

If you have eligibility questions, contact your service’s personnel office.

Between Oct. 28 and Dec. 31, if you live in the U.S. and need to make health plan changes, you’ll need to call your regional contractor. You won’t be able to make any health plan updates online in milConnect via Beneficiary Web Enrollment. If you live overseas, you can keep using milConnect as usual.

For enrollment changes effective now through Dec. 31, if you live:

For enrollment changes effective Jan. 1, 2025, and beyond (including TRICARE Open Season), if you live:

  • In the new East Region: Call Humana Military at 800-444-5445.
  • In the new West Region (including Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin): TriWest’s call center will open Nov. 11 at 8 a.m. CT. Starting Nov. 11, you can call TriWest at 888-TRIWEST (888-874-9378). TriWest’s secure patient portal will also go live Nov. 11.
  • Overseas: Update your information in DEERS. You can also contact International SOS

You have options

You can choose to:

Make changes (if needed)

If changing plans, choose one method:
  1. Contact your TRICARE regional contractor, as listed above.
  2. Mail an enrollment form. Download the form and send it to your regional contractor.
  3. If you live overseas, you can log in to milConnect and click the “Manage health benefits” button. (Note: For this open season, you can only do this if you live overseas. Otherwise, you need to use method #1 or #2 above.)

If you live overseas, you can also visit an overseas TRICARE Service Center (if applicable).   

Consider dental and vision coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program

  1. Check your Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program eligibility.
  2. Review FEDVIP dental plan options.
  3. Explore FEDVIP vision plan options. (Remember: You must be enrolled in a TRICARE health plan to get vision coverage through FEDVIP.)
  4. Note that Federal Benefits Open Season ends Dec. 9.
  5. Enroll or make changes.

Mark important dates and set reminders

  • Nov. 11: TRICARE Open Season and Federal Benefits Open Season begin. Set a reminder to start your plan review.
  • Dec. 9: Federal Benefits Open Season ends. This is the last day for dental and vision changes.
  • Dec. 10: TRICARE Open Season ends. This is the final day to make health plan changes.
  • Jan. 1, 2025: New coverage starts. Prepare for any new plan requirements or changes.

Prepare for potential Qualifying Life Events

Important updates for 2025

Check your region and regional contractor:

  • West Region: Your regional contractor will change to TriWest on Jan. 1, 2025. If you live in Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, or Wisconsin, your state is moving to the West Region on Jan. 1.
  • East Region: Humana Military will remain the regional contractor.
Provide your payment information to TriWest if you live in the new West Region:
  • If you pay by bank electronic funds transfer or debit or credit card: Provide your payment information to TriWest before Jan. 1.
  • If you pay by military pay system allotment: You don’t need to do anything. Your payments will transfer automatically.

Stay informed:

If you don’t change your TRICARE health plan during open season, you’ll need to wait until next year’s open season to make changes, unless you have a QLE.

Prepare early to ensure you have the right coverage for your needs in 2025.

Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
 

Uniformed service member stands and smiles with wife and child, as toddler waves to the camera.

Check Out Your 2025 TRICARE Health Plan Costs

News
Nov. 07, 2024

With 2025 just around the corner, you may be starting to consider your family’s health needs for next year...
Read More
Dentist works on patient's teeth

TRICARE Dental Program Premiums Decrease Effecti...

News
Oct. 30, 2024

If you’re enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program, your TDP monthly premiums will decrease for coverage...
Read More
TRICARE Open Season Webinar graphic

Get Ready for TRICARE Open Season and 2025 Regio...

News
Oct. 29, 2024

Are you ready for TRICARE Open Season and the upcoming changes to TRICARE in 2025? Mark your calendar for a...
Read More
Woman looking at laptop screen

Q&A: What To Know as TRICARE Open Season Begins ...

News
Oct. 24, 2024

TRICARE Open Season begins Monday, Nov. 11—that’s just a few weeks away. If you’re a TRICARE beneficiary, this...
Read More
Man works on a laptop

TRICARE Claim Form Updated To Assist in Processi...

News
Oct. 23, 2024

If you’ve submitted a claim for reimbursement, then you may be familiar with the TRICARE claim form, Patient’s...
Read More
TRICARE Enrollment Freeze Oct. 25-27, 2024

TRICARE Enrollment Freeze and Scheduled milConne...

News
Oct. 21, 2024

It’s almost time for TRICARE Open Season, which begins Nov. 11. That means you should check your information...
Read More
Man receives a vaccine.

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones: Get Your F...

News
Oct. 17, 2024

The fall and winter months bring an increased risk of respiratory illnesses, including flu, COVID-19, and...
Read More
Three women smiling at the camera

Unlock Your Health by Scheduling a TRICARE Well-...

News
Oct. 16, 2024

With TRICARE, you have access to a wide range of preventive care specific to your needs. For women, this...
Read More

Nov. 7, 2024

Check Out Your 2025 TRICARE Health Plan Costs

With 2025 just around the corner, you may be starting to consider your family’s health needs for next year. There may be changes to your TRICARE health plan costs starting Jan. 1, 2025. Depending on your plan, these costs may include enrollment fees, premiums, cost-shares, and copayments.

Nov. 5, 2024

Your Comprehensive TRICARE Open Season Checklist: Prepare for Nov. 11

TRICARE Open Season is right around the corner. This year, it runs from Nov. 11 to Dec. 10. Follow this detailed checklist to ensure you’re fully prepared.

Oct. 30, 2024

TRICARE Dental Program Premiums Decrease Effective Nov. 1

If you’re enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program, your TDP monthly premiums will decrease for coverage effective Nov. 1. These new rates will remain in effect until Feb. 28, 2025.

Oct. 29, 2024

Get Ready for TRICARE Open Season and 2025 Region Changes at Nov. 14 Webinar

Are you ready for TRICARE Open Season and the upcoming changes to TRICARE in 2025? Mark your calendar for a TRICARE webinar, “Get Ready for TRICARE Open Season and 2025 Region Changes,” on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2–3 p.m. ET on Microsoft Teams Live.

Oct. 24, 2024

Q&A: What To Know as TRICARE Open Season Begins Nov. 11

TRICARE Open Season begins Monday, Nov. 11—that’s just a few weeks away. If you’re a TRICARE beneficiary, this is the time when you can enroll in a health plan or change health plans for coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2025. You can make these changes through Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Oct. 23, 2024

TRICARE Claim Form Updated To Assist in Processing Overseas Claims

If you’ve submitted a claim for reimbursement, then you may be familiar with the TRICARE claim form, Patient’s Request for Medical Payment (DD Form 2642). In September 2024, this form was updated to include fields that’ll make it easier when filing claims for care received overseas.

Oct. 21, 2024

TRICARE Enrollment Freeze and Scheduled milConnect and Beneficiary Web Enrollment Outage Beginning Oct. 25: What To Know

It’s almost time for TRICARE Open Season, which begins Nov. 11. That means you should check your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System as soon as possible. There will be a global TRICARE enrollment freeze from Oct. 25-27, and limitations to the Beneficiary Web Enrollment self-service portal between Oct. 28 and Dec. 31.

Oct. 17, 2024

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones: Get Your Flu Shot With TRICARE

The fall and winter months bring an increased risk of respiratory illnesses, including flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus. Getting your flu shot is an easy way to help ward off illness. The vaccine lowers your chance of getting sick, going to the hospital, or even dying from the flu.

Oct. 16, 2024

Unlock Your Health by Scheduling a TRICARE Well-Woman Exam

With TRICARE, you have access to a wide range of preventive care specific to your needs. For women, this includes comprehensive services like an annual well-woman exam.

Oct. 10, 2024

Live in the West Region? Update Your TRICARE Payment Information With TriWest

Do you currently live in the West Region? Or, do you live in one of the six states (Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin) moving to the West Region in 2025? If you pay for your TRICARE coverage via credit card or bank electronic funds transfer, you can now securely give your recurring payment information to the incoming West Region contractor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance.