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.

News | Feb. 19, 2025

New Benefit! Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts Now Available for Service Members

By TRICARE Communications

Did you know that you can now save money with a Health Care Flexible Spending Account? An HCFSA is a new benefit for service members. It’s a financial tool that allows you to set aside pre-tax earnings to pay for eligible medical, dental, and vision health expenses.

If you're an eligible service member, you can sign up for an HCFSA for the first time between March 3 and March 31 at www.fsafeds.gov. You can contribute anywhere between $100 and $3,300 to your HCFSA.

TRICARE officials explained that an HCFSA is NOT part of the TRICARE program, and it’s not an insurance product. Enrollment in TRICARE doesn’t mean that you’re automatically enrolled in an HCFSA.  

Eligibility

Those eligible to enroll in an HCFSA include:
  • Members of the regular (active) component,
  • Members of the reserve components performing Active Guard Reserve (AGR) duty,
  • Members of the National Guard performing AGR duty,
  • Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, including Reserve Component Managers, when performing active duty for more than 180 days. 

Common covered expenses

Here are some common expenses that your HCFSA can cover:
  • Medical: copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles
  • Dental: exams, cleanings, X-rays, and braces
  • Vision: exams, contact lenses and supplies, eyeglasses, and laser eye surgery
  • Wellness services: massage therapy, chiropractor, and acupuncture
  • Prescription medications and prescribed over-the-counter medications
  • Over-the-counter healthcare items: bandages, pregnancy tests, and blood pressure monitors
The IRS determines what expenses are considered eligible. You can find a complete list of eligible and ineligible expenses on www.fsafeds.gov.

How to enroll

The Special Enrollment Period is from March 3 to March 31. To enroll during this time, go to www.fsafeds.gov, and follow these instructions:
  1. Select “Qualifying Life Event” from the Enroll dropdown menu.
  2. Select the QLE titled “Special Enrollment Period for Members of the Uniformed Services March 3-31.”
  3. Enter the date you’re enrolling as your QLE event date.
  4. Follow the remaining instructions.
After March 31, eligible service members may only enroll in an HCFSA during Federal Benefits Open Season through FSAFEDS. However, there are some life circumstances, called QLEs, that allow you to change your election throughout the calendar year.

To learn more about QLEs and how to enroll in an HCFSA, visit www.fsafeds.gov.
 

Father and son hold hands while walking down a street

Unlock Your Health by Understanding the TRICARE ...

News
Aug. 26, 2025

Do you have TRICARE Prime? If so, you likely get most of your routine health care from your primary care...
Read More
Image of woman sitting on sofa on laptop. Text reads: "Participants needed for virtual tricare.mil usability study. Learn if you qualify." TRICARE logo

Share Your Thoughts on Tricare.mil in Upcoming U...

News
Aug. 22, 2025

Are you interested in shaping the future of TRICARE’s web presence? The Defense Health Agency Usability Lab is...
Read More
Smiling woman holds a baby.

How TRICARE Covers Breastfeeding Supplies and Se...

News
Aug. 21, 2025

Are you pregnant or did you recently have a baby? TRICARE covers certain breast pumps and supplies and...
Read More
Medical professional looks at dental x-rays

TRICARE Medical vs. Dental Coverage: Understandi...

News
Aug. 19, 2025

When you need care for your mouth, jaw, or teeth, you may have questions about whether you should use your...
Read More
Man in grey shirt speaks to a doctor

Medicare and TRICARE For Life: Finding Providers

News
Aug. 14, 2025

If you have TRICARE For Life, you’ll get health care from Medicare providers. Here’s what you need to know...
Read More
A hand places white flowers on a stone grave

How a Death in the Family May Affect Your TRICAR...

News
Aug. 12, 2025

When a family member passes away, it can feel overwhelming to deal with paperwork on top of the emotional...
Read More
Female teacher leads a group of young students into school

Get Your Child Ready for the New School Year: A ...

News
Aug. 07, 2025

Getting your child’s health care needs taken care of before school starts helps ensure they’re ready to focus...
Read More
Service member pours pills into a pill counter machine

TRICARE Coverage of Weight Loss Medications: Wha...

News
Aug. 05, 2025

Understanding the difference between TRICARE plans and coverage is key to knowing what to expect when filling...
Read More

Aug. 26, 2025

Unlock Your Health by Understanding the TRICARE Prime Referral Process

Do you have TRICARE Prime? If so, you likely get most of your routine health care from your primary care manager. But sometimes, you may need specialty care that your PCM can’t provide. This is when your PCM will give you a referral. In this article, you’ll learn about the TRICARE Prime referral process. We’ll highlight what’s new—and easier—for you and your family members if you’re moving this year.

Aug. 22, 2025

Share Your Thoughts on Tricare.mil in Upcoming Usability Study

Are you interested in shaping the future of TRICARE’s web presence? The Defense Health Agency Usability Lab is looking for participants for a tricare.mil usability study. The DHA Usability Lab will hold several studies to get feedback on the website.

Aug. 21, 2025

How TRICARE Covers Breastfeeding Supplies and Services

Are you pregnant or did you recently have a baby? TRICARE covers certain breast pumps and supplies and breastfeeding counseling at no cost for new mothers.

Aug. 19, 2025

TRICARE Medical vs. Dental Coverage: Understanding Key Differences

When you need care for your mouth, jaw, or teeth, you may have questions about whether you should use your TRICARE medical or dental plan. Knowing when to use your medical or dental coverage helps avoid unnecessary costs or delays in care.

Aug. 14, 2025

Medicare and TRICARE For Life: Finding Providers

If you have TRICARE For Life, you’ll get health care from Medicare providers. Here’s what you need to know about finding different types of Medicare providers.

Aug. 12, 2025

How a Death in the Family May Affect Your TRICARE Coverage

When a family member passes away, it can feel overwhelming to deal with paperwork on top of the emotional burden. This article provides a few steps you should take in the weeks following your family member’s death. Taking these steps can help ensure your coverage continues without interruption.

Aug. 7, 2025

Get Your Child Ready for the New School Year: A TRICARE Parent’s Guide

Getting your child’s health care needs taken care of before school starts helps ensure they’re ready to focus on learning. TRICARE covers the essential services that parents need to check off their back-to-school list.

Aug. 5, 2025

TRICARE Coverage of Weight Loss Medications: What To Know

Understanding the difference between TRICARE plans and coverage is key to knowing what to expect when filling your prescription. There are different rules about how TRICARE covers these drugs based on your plan.

July 31, 2025

TRICARE Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Members: Know Your Options

Are you or your sponsor in the National Guard or Reserve? Your health coverage changes when activating or deactivating. Here’s what you need to know.

July 29, 2025

Unlock Your Health: Check Your TRICARE Information in DEERS Today

When was the last time you looked to see if your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System is up to date? If it’s been a while, it’s extremely important to take time and log in to DEERS to review or update your information.