Tricare moved to an open enrollment system in 2019, forever altering how and when military families and retirees change and move between coverage plans. So what do you need to know about Tricare’s open enrollment program? Here are five things:
1. To change plans outside open enrollment, you must experience a “qualifying life event.” Outside the annual open enrollment period, to change plans, beneficiaries must experience a “qualifying life event” (QLE). What does that mean? Tricare officials created a list based off industry standards. It includes things such as a move, a change in family composition, and a change in a member’s or dependent’s eligibility status. You have 90 days to change plans after experiencing a QLE.
Related: What Is a Qualifying Life Event for Tricare?
2. Pregnancy is not a Tricare QLE. While giving birth is a qualifying event that would let you switch between plans, pregnancy is not. That means military spouses who think they might get pregnant and who do not want to be seen for their pregnancy within the military treatment facility system should register for Tricare Select during the annual open enrollment period.
Related: Tricare Maternity Care Costs
3. Open enrollment happens only one time each year. Once a year, all Tricare users have the chance to switch plans without first having one of those QLEs. That window typically runs from mid-November to mid-December. For 2027 coverage, Tricare open enrollment is Nov. 9-Dec. 8, 2026. If you miss the window and do not have a QLE, you are not able to change plans.
Related: What Tricare Covers (And What It Doesn’t)
4. Certain Tricare users can switch at any time. Tricare users on Tricare Reserve Select, Tricare Retired Reserve and Tricare Young Adult don’t have to worry about QLEs. Instead, they can enroll or un-enroll at any time. That’s because those programs, known as “purchased plans,” are based on other eligibility factors such as age and Guard or reserve status.
Related: Tricare Reserve Select Overview
5. FEDVIP dental plans for retirees and vision plans for active-duty families and retirees also have enrollment rules.
Looking to take advantage of the vision plans available for military families and retirees or the dental plans available for retirees through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)? That program has its own open enrollment rules. You will also need to enroll or make changes to your coverage during the annual open enrollment or during a qualifying life event.
Related: FEDVIP Open Season for Military and Retiree Health Insurance
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20 Comments
The cost guidance is better than expected. If they deliver, the stock could rerate.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Uranium names keep pushing higher—supply still tight into 2026.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Exploration results look promising, but permitting will be the key risk.
Exploration results look promising, but permitting will be the key risk.
Exploration results look promising, but permitting will be the key risk.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
I like the balance sheet here—less leverage than peers.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Interesting update on 5 Things to Remember About Tricare’s Open Enrollment. Curious how the grades will trend next quarter.
Uranium names keep pushing higher—supply still tight into 2026.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Exploration results look promising, but permitting will be the key risk.
The cost guidance is better than expected. If they deliver, the stock could rerate.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Interesting update on 5 Things to Remember About Tricare’s Open Enrollment. Curious how the grades will trend next quarter.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.