Naval Hospital Bremerton reminds beneficiaries to review TRICARE coverage during Open Season

Official Statements

• Naval Hospital Bremerton/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton, November 12: “BREMERTON, Wash. Naval Hospital Bremerton reminds eligible beneficiaries to review their TRICARE health plan enrollment during Open Season, Nov. 9-Dec. 8. During Open Season, eligible beneficiaries may enroll in a TRICARE health plan, change their current plan or disenroll from coverage. Changes made during the enrollment period take effect Jan. 1, 2027. Open Season applies to eligible beneficiaries enrolled in or eligible for TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select. It does not apply to active-duty service members or beneficiaries with TRICARE For Life.”

• Naval Hospital Bremerton/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton, November 12: “The most important action eligible beneficiaries should take is to review their current TRICARE health plan enrollment information and ensure it is accurate, including the payment method on file,” said Jeremiah Hickman, beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinator and debt collections assistance officer at Naval Hospital Bremerton. “If a credit or debit card expires, a beneficiary or an entire family could be disenrolled from their primary care manager and TRICARE health plan, leaving them without coverage in the civilian network,” Hickman said.”

• Naval Hospital Bremerton/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton, November 12: “Beneficiaries considering a plan change should assess their health care needs and compare the differences between TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select. They should consider whether they want a primary care manager to coordinate referrals or prefer to identify specialists and work with TriWest, the contractor who manages the TRICARE health benefit in the West Region, to complete the referral process. Beneficiaries should also compare potential out-of-pocket costs under each plan.”

• Naval Hospital Bremerton/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton, November 12: “Hickman said the hospital’s Healthcare Business office frequently assists beneficiaries approaching retirement from active duty, those with questions about changes to their coverage, and those who receive bills from civilian providers. “Patients and their families are always welcome to visit us with questions,” Hickman said. “Healthcare Business has numerous resources available for beneficiaries to take home. If we do not immediately have an answer, we review TRICARE policy and procedures to find the information needed to address concerns and resolve uncertainty.”

• Naval Hospital Bremerton/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton, November 12: “Beneficiaries who miss the Open Season deadline generally must wait until the next Open Season to enroll or change their coverage. Those who believe circumstances prevented them from enrolling during the designated period may visit Healthcare Business at Naval Hospital Bremerton to request a TRICARE Enrollment Reconsideration. The Defense Health Agency and the TRICARE contractor review those requests; military treatment facilities like Naval Hospital Bremerton do not approve or deny them.”

• Naval Hospital Bremerton/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton, November 12: “For local assistance, beneficiaries may contact Hickman at Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Healthcare Business office on the third floor at (360) 475-4104. The office can help with TRICARE enrollment questions, coverage options, claims concerns and debt-collection assistance. Beneficiaries are encouraged to review their enrollment early and seek assistance before the deadline of Dec. 8.”