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News | Nov. 11, 2024

TRICARE Open Season 2024 Begins: Learn if You Need To Take Action

By TRICARE Communications

Have you considered changing your family’s TRICARE health plan for 2025? Now is your opportunity. TRICARE Open Season starts today, Nov. 11, and runs through Tuesday, Dec. 10.
 
TRICARE Open Season is the annual period when anyone enrolled in or eligible for TRICARE Prime, the US Family Health Plan, or TRICARE Select can change their TRICARE health plan. Changes you make during open season will take effect Jan. 1, 2025.
 
“It’s important to evaluate your health plan options over the next few weeks,” said Shane Pham, management and program analyst, TRICARE Health Plan Policy and Programs at the Defense Health Agency. “Doing your research now will help ensure that you and your family have the best coverage for your needs.”
 
If you don’t act by Dec. 10, you can only change your health plan in 2025 if you have a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait until next year’s open season, as described in the TRICARE Choices in the United States Handbook.
 
Note: TRICARE Open Season doesn’t apply to you if:

But even if open season doesn’t apply to you, or you don’t want to change your plan, you may still need to act this year.
 
If you live in the 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. You don’t need to do this if you pay by military pay system allotment. Allotment payments will transfer automatically. You can learn more at tricare.mil/west. Starting Nov. 11, you can also create an account on TriWest’s patient portal.
 
Do you want to check what providers are in your regional contractor’s network? Humana Military’s provider directory (East Region) and TriWest’s provider directory (new West Region) are now available. If you live in the current West Region, you should keep using the Health Net Federal Services, LLC provider directory for care through Dec. 31.
 
Have you decided to change your health plan? Make sure your family’s information is up to date in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Then, if you live:

You can also download an enrollment form and mail a physical copy to your 2025 regional contractor. (Note: If you live in the U.S., you won’t be able to use the Beneficiary Web Enrollment self-service portal this year.)
 
Want more information to help you decide if you need to act during open season? Here are some TRICARE Newsroom articles that may help: Do you have questions about how the new TRICARE contracts may affect you in 2025? Check out these TRICARE Newsroom articles to learn more:

Open season ends in just a few weeks on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Don’t wait to act! Start exploring your health plan options now, so you can choose the best option to fit your family’s needs.

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.
 

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