An official website of the United States government
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.

The most recent appropriations for the Department of War expired at 11:59 p.m. EST on September 30, 2025. Military personnel will continue in a normal duty status without pay until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law. Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.
To learn how the lapse in appropriations affects your TRICARE benefit, visit 
tricare.mil/shutdown.

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.
 

Uniformed service member stands with wife and two children in his arms in front of airfield

Learn your 2026 TRICARE health plan costs

News
Nov. 07, 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, now is the time to start thinking about your family’s health care options for next...
Read More
DHA logo and "Unlock Your Health" logo, doctor placing a band aid on a woman's upper arm.

Prepare for flu season: Get vaccinated with TRICARE

News
Nov. 05, 2025

With children back in school and temperatures dropping, flu season is quickly approaching. Although most...
Read More
"TRICARE Open Season 2025 Nov. 10-Dec. 9" next to a man and woman looking at a laptop.

TRICARE Open Season 2025: Understanding your TRI...

News
Oct. 31, 2025

Have you ever wondered about the differences between the various TRICARE plans? With TRICARE Open Season 2025...
Read More
Text reads: Get ready for TRICARE Open Season 2025. Start: Nov. 10, 2025. End: Dec. 9, 2025. Image of dark blue and light blue keys.

Get ready for TRICARE Open Season 2025: What you...

News
Oct. 23, 2025

If you’re a TRICARE beneficiary, mark your calendar: TRICARE Open Season begins Monday, Nov. 10, and runs...
Read More
Picture of a doctor using a stethoscope on a patient's chest; "Patients needed on Oct. 17 for a focus group discussion about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD."

Share your experiences with COPD care and treatm...

News
Sep. 30, 2025

Have you been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD? Your feedback could play a key...
Read More
Service member presses down on another service member's arm while lying on a medical table.

National Guard or Reserve? Learn What To Do if Y...

News
Sep. 25, 2025

Are you a member of the National Guard or Reserve? If so, it’s important to know how TRICARE covers you if you...
Read More
DHA logo and Unlock Your Health logo; Medical professional in scrubs shows man in wheelchair papers on a clipboard.

Learn How TRICARE Can Help You Manage Chronic He...

News
Sep. 23, 2025

Living with a chronic health condition can feel hard. But you don’t have to do it alone. TRICARE offers...
Read More
Woman in a dentist's chair holds a mirror and looks at her teeth.

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

News
Sep. 19, 2025

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Whether you crack a tooth or have severe mouth pain,...
Read More

Nov. 7, 2025

Learn your 2026 TRICARE health plan costs

As 2025 comes to a close, now is the time to start thinking about your family’s health care options for next year. You should know that your TRICARE health plan costs will change starting Jan. 1, 2026. Depending on your plan, these costs may include enrollment fees, premiums, cost-shares, and copayments.

Nov. 5, 2025

Prepare for flu season: Get vaccinated with TRICARE

With children back in school and temperatures dropping, flu season is quickly approaching. Although most respiratory illnesses share common symptoms, the flu is more serious than the common cold. It can lead to hospitalization and even death in severe cases. Flu season generally runs through fall and winter, and one of the best things you can do to protect your health is get a flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the flu vaccine for all people aged 6 months and older (with rare exceptions).

Oct. 31, 2025

TRICARE Open Season 2025: Understanding your TRICARE health plan options

Have you ever wondered about the differences between the various TRICARE plans? With TRICARE Open Season 2025 right around the corner, now is a perfect time to learn about TRICARE’s wide range of coverage options. Knowing the differences will ensure the right coverage for you and your family members.

Oct. 23, 2025

Get ready for TRICARE Open Season 2025: What you need to know

If you’re a TRICARE beneficiary, mark your calendar: TRICARE Open Season begins Monday, Nov. 10, and runs through Tuesday, Dec. 9. This is your chance to enroll in or make changes to your TRICARE plan for 2026. Changes you make during this time will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Sept. 30, 2025

Share your experiences with COPD care and treatment at Oct. 17 Clinical Practice Guideline patient focus group

Have you been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD? Your feedback could play a key role in developing and updating clinical practice guidelines across the military and veteran health care systems.

Sept. 25, 2025

National Guard or Reserve? Learn What To Do if You Need Line of Duty Care

Are you a member of the National Guard or Reserve? If so, it’s important to know how TRICARE covers you if you become sick or are injured while activated for 30 days or less. This article explores how, where, and under what circumstances National Guard and Reserve members can get line of duty care.

Sept. 23, 2025

Learn How TRICARE Can Help You Manage Chronic Health Conditions

Living with a chronic health condition can feel hard. But you don’t have to do it alone. TRICARE offers programs and coverage to help you live better with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and depression.

Sept. 19, 2025

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Whether you crack a tooth or have severe mouth pain, knowing what to do can save your smile and reduce damage.

Sept. 18, 2025

Unlock Your Health: How TRICARE Can Support Your Child’s Mental Health

Childhood and teen years can be full of ups and downs. It’s normal for kids to be sad or irritable or to have trouble paying attention or interacting with others at times. But sometimes, these feelings and behaviors are signs that your child could need mental health care. Learn how TRICARE can support your child’s mental health and find tips and resources for supporting your child’s well-being.

Sept. 17, 2025

Opioids, Pain Management, and Your Oral Health

If you’ve had certain dental procedures, like wisdom teeth removal, a root canal, or oral surgery, some dentists may prescribe an opioid painkiller to help manage your pain. While your comfort is a priority, it’s important to also understand any potential negative side effects posed by opioids and the importance of using opioids responsibly.