What is an OpenGraph Image? | TRICARE Glossary
*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or the Defense Health Agency. Visit TRICARE.mil for official policy and program details.*
## Definition An OpenGraph Image is a specific image embedded in the metadata of a webpage that determines what picture appears when a link to a TRICARE-related resource is shared on social media or messaging apps.
## What it means in practice For a TRICARE beneficiary or a family member, the OpenGraph (OG) image is the "visual handshake" that ensures the information you are sharing is legitimate. When you copy a link from an official source—such as the **TriWest** portal for West region claims or a **Humana Military** health tip article—and paste it into a Facebook group, a text message, or an email, the OG image is what automatically generates the preview box.
In the context of military healthcare, these images serve an important security function. In an era of rampant phishing scams and "spoof" sites targeting military members, a high-quality, branded OpenGraph image helps verify that the link leads to a trusted TRICARE contractor or a government resource. For example, a link to the **Express Scripts** pharmacy portal will typically generate an image containing their logo and a clear indication of pharmacy services; if the preview image looks "broken," generic, or unrelated, it may be a sign of a fraudulent link.
Additionally, OpenGraph images are used by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to make complex information more digestible. When TRICARE announces update rates for the 2026 plan year, the associated OG image might be an infographic summarizing copay changes. This allows a Service Member to see the most important data points—such as a $38 specialty care copay for TRICARE Select Group A retirees—without even clicking the link, making the dissemination of health benefit information faster across the military community.
## Related terms * **Beneficiary Web Enrollment (BWE):** The online portal where members log in to update their health plan or primary care manager. * **T-5 Contract:** The fifth generation of TRICARE contracts, which transitioned the West Region to TriWest Healthcare Alliance on January 1, 2025. * **DEERS:** The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, the worldwide database of uniformed service members and their family members. * **Regional Contractor:** The private companies (Humana Military and TriWest) that manage the TRICARE networks and claims processing. * **Secure Patient Portal:** The encrypted website where beneficiaries can message doctors, view lab results, and book appointments.
## Sources * TRICARE officially managed by the Defense Health Agency (DHA): https://www.tricare.mil * Humana Military (East Region Contractor): https://www.humanamilitary.com * TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region Contractor): https://www.triwest.com