TRICARE Open Season starts today, Nov. 9

Category
Military affairs
Source
Defense Health Agency
Military AffairsOfficial statement

At a glance

What
Military Affairs
Who
Defense Health Agency
When
Nov 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM UTC

Official Statements

  • Defense Health Agency, November 9: “TRICARE Open Season starts today, Nov. 9! You now have the opportunity to make changes to your TRICARE plan. This year’s open season lasts through Tuesday, Dec. 8. This is your annual chance to sign up for a health plan or change your coverage. Any changes you make will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027. “TRICARE Open Season is your chance to make any changes to your health plan for 2027,” said Zelly Zim, Health System Specialist, TRICARE Health Plan Policy & Programs Division, at the Defense Health Agency. “Take time now to review your options and learn how to make enrollment changes, if necessary.”

    Who can make changes during open season

    Open season applies to you if you’re eligible for or enrolled in:

    • TRICARE Prime
    • TRICARE Prime Remote for Active Duty Family Members
    • TRICARE Prime option - Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
    • TRICARE Prime Demo (available only in Atlanta, Georgia and Tampa, Florida areas)
    • TRICARE Prime Overseas
    • TRICARE Prime Remote for Active Duty Family Members Overseas
    • TRICARE Select
    • TRICARE Select Overseas

    Some beneficiaries aren’t affected by open season.

    • Active duty service members can’t make changes during this time.
    • If you have TRICARE For Life, you don’t need to do anything.
    • Those with premium-based plans like TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Retired Reserve, or TRICARE Young Adult can buy coverage any time during the year.

    Your choices during open season

    You have three options during TRICARE Open Season:

    • You can stay in your current plan. You don’t have to do anything to keep your plan.
    • If you don’t have a plan now, you can sign up for one.
    • You can switch to a different plan that better fits your needs.

    Before you make changes, check that your family’s information is up to date in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. If you have questions, contact your service’s personnel office. Want to learn more about the enrollment process? Check out the Enrolling in TRICARE Fact Sheet. This resource explains how you can enroll in or purchase a plan, how to make plan changes during TRICARE Open Season, and how certain life events may change your TRICARE health plan options.

    How to change your plan

    Online

    You can use Beneficiary Web Enrollment - through milConnect - to make eligible changes to your health plan. Planning to make enrollment changes online? You’ll sign in to milConnect with myAuth. Make sure you can sign in before you need to, so you’re not troubleshooting close to the Dec. 8 deadline. Need help? Visit DMDC myAuth Help or contact DMDC Customer Connect at 800-368-3665. You can also enroll by phone with your regional contractor or by mail.

    By phone

    U.S.: Call your regional contractor to make updates.

    • East Region (Humana Military): 800-444-5445
    • West Region (TriWest): 888-TRIWEST (888-874-9378)
    • USFHP: Visit Uniformed Services Family Health Plan for contact information.
    • TRICARE Prime Demo (Atlanta and Tampa areas only): Visit TRICARE Prime Demo for contact information and to see if it’s available where you live.

    Overseas: Call https://www.tricare-overseas.com/contact-us for support.

    By mail

    You can also submit a paper enrollment form to your regional contractor.

    Dental and vision coverage

    You may be able to get dental or vision coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. You must have a TRICARE health plan to get FEDVIP vision coverage. Note: Federal Benefits Open Season also begins today, Nov. 9. It ends Monday, Dec. 14.

    What happens if you miss open season

    If you don’t make changes during open season, you’ll need to wait until next year’s open season to make changes to your plan. Or you may be eligible to make changes if you have a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event, like getting married or having a baby. Explore your health plan options today and decide if you want to make changes before Dec. 8. Visit TRICARE Open Season and the TRICARE Newsroom for the latest information or contact your regional contractor for more details.”

Source: Defense Health Agency

Understanding Global Threats

Browse All Topics & Pages

Complete sitemap with all intelligence resources

View Sitemap →

Related Preparedness Gear

Be prepared for evolving situations

Global Conflict Map

Live snapshot of conflict locations and tension zones worldwide.

Last update on: November 9, 2026

Keep Exploring