FALLS CHURCH, Va. —  TRICARE Open Season began Nov. 14. For most TRICARE beneficiaries, this is your chance to enroll in a health plan or change health plans for coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2023. You have until Tuesday, Dec. 13, to make those changes.
 
Does open season apply to you? Yes, if you're enrolled in or eligible for the following TRICARE health plans:

• TRICARE Prime 
• US Family Health Plan
• TRICARE Prime Remote
• TRICARE Prime Overseas
• TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas
• TRICARE Select
• TRICARE Select Overseas

"The decisions you make during open season will likely lock in your health plan for the next year," said Dr. Danita Hunter, chief of TRICARE Policy and Programs. "It's important to remember that this could be your only chance all year to update health plan options for you and your family."
 
Open season doesn't apply to active duty service members. It doesn't apply to TRICARE For Life- coverage is automatic if you have Medicare Part A and Part B. Open season also doesn't apply to premium-based plans. You can purchase the following plans at any time throughout the year: 

• TRICARE Reserve Select 
• TRICARE Retired Reserve
• TRICARE Young Adult

 
YOUR OPEN SEASON OPTIONS

If you're eligible for open season, you have three options: stay in the same plan, enroll in a plan, or change plans.
 
STAY IN YOUR PLAN
If you want to stay in your current TRICARE health plan, you don't have to re-enroll. You'll continue in your current health plan through 2023 or as long as you're eligible.
 
ENROLLING IN OR CHANGING PLANS
Ready to enroll in a health plan? If you choose to make enrollment changes, use one of the options below:

• Log in to milConnect and click on the "Manage health benefits" button.
• Call your TRICARE contractor.
• Mail your enrollment form to your TRICARE contractor.
• Visit an overseas TRICARE Service Center.

 
TRICARE has a variety of helpful online tools you can use to learn about your health plan options:

• TRICARE Plan Finder: learn which plans you may qualify for
• TRICARE Compare Plans Tool: choose multiple plans and compare the features and coverage
• TRICARE Compare Costs Tool: choose multiple plans and compare the costs
• TRICARE Find a Doctor Tool: find a nearby doctor who accepts TRICARE

 
You can learn more about your enrollment options on the TRICARE website. If you have enrollment concerns, reach out to your TRICARE contractor.
 
MISSING OPEN SEASON
If you miss the open season period, you can only enroll in or make changes to TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select plans if you have a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). A QLE makes you eligible for a special enrollment period, as outlined in the TRICARE Qualifying Life Events Fact Sheet. Remember if you aren't enrolled in a health plan, you can only receive care at military hospitals and clinics if space is available.
 
FEDERAL BENEFITS OPEN SEASON
This is another open season that TRICARE beneficiaries can participate in. The Federal Benefits Open Season started Nov. 14 and is for dental or vision coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). FEDVIP dental and vision plans are separate. This means you may not qualify for both. To be eligible for FEDVIP vision coverage, you must be enrolled in a TRICARE health plan.
 
Not sure if you're eligible for FEDVIP? Visit the BENEFEDS website to check your eligibility, enroll in a plan, and more.
 
Remember the two open seasons don't end on the same date this year. Federal Benefits Open Season ends Monday, Dec. 12. TRICARE Open Season ends Tuesday, Dec. 13.
 
With open season here, now is the time to make sure you get the TRICARE coverage you need or your family needs. If you have questions about TRICARE, you can find many answers on the TRICARE website.