TRICARE Open Season 2026: Dates, Rates, and How to Switch
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## Quick answer TRICARE Open Season begins today, November 10, and runs through mid-December. This is the only time of year most military families can switch between TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select, or enroll in a new plan, without experiencing a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). Any changes you make now will take effect on January 1, 2027.
In detail
Open Season is the annual window to manage your healthcare coverage. If you are satisfied with your current TRICARE plan, you do not need to do anything; your coverage will automatically renew for 2027. However, if you want to change your enrollment, today is the day to start.
### The Two Major Choices During Open Season, most beneficiaries choose between two primary paths:
1. **TRICARE Prime:** A managed-care option similar to an HMO. You have a Primary Care Manager (PCM) who handles your care and provides referrals for specialists. 2. **TRICARE Select:** A self-managed, preferred provider organization (PPO) model. You can see any TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral, but you will typically have higher out-of-pocket costs and an annual deductible.
### 2026-2027 Cost Considerations While specific 2027 premiums are released late in the year, 2026 rates serve as a baseline. Costs depend on your "Group" status: * **Group A:** Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment was before January 1, 2018. * **Group B:** Sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment was on or after January 1, 2018.
| Feature (2026 Rates) | TRICARE Prime (Retirees) | TRICARE Select (Retirees) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Annual Enrollment Fee** | ~$750 (Family) | ~$1,000 (Family) | | **Annual Deductible** | None (Network) | $320+ (Individual) | | **Primary Care Copay** | ~$25 | ~$35 | | **Specialty Care Copay** | ~$37 | ~$50 |
*Note: Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) and Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs) on Prime typically have $0 enrollment fees and $0 out-of-pocket costs for covered services.*
### Enrollment Actions You can make changes through: * **Beneficiary Web Enrollment (BWE):** Log in via MilConnect. * **Regional Contractor:** Call Humana Military (East) or TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West). * **Mail:** Submit a DD Form 2876 to your regional contractor.
## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Family Members:** Can switch between Prime and Select. * **Retirees and their Families:** Can switch between Prime and Select or change enrollment status. * **National Guard/Reserve on Active Duty:** Eligible for the same windows as active duty families. * **Who it does NOT apply to:** Open Season does not apply to TRICARE For Life (TFL), TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS), TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR), or TRICARE Young Adult (TYA). These plans allow for purchase or changes at any time.
Common scenarios
### Scenario 1: The Specialist Seeker The Miller family is currently on TRICARE Prime in the East Region (Humana Military). They find the referral process for their child’s physical therapy frustrating. During Open Season, they switch to **TRICARE Select**. Starting January 1, they will pay an annual deductible (approx. $100–$300 for Group A) but will no longer need PCM referrals for therapy.
### Scenario 2: The Cost-Conscious Retiree John, a retiree in the West Region (TriWest), is on TRICARE Select. He realizes he is spending over $1,200 a year in copays for chronic condition management. He uses Open Season to switch to **TRICARE Prime**. His 2027 enrollment fee will be roughly $375 (Individual), but his copays will drop, and he will have no deductible for network care.
### Scenario 3: The Satisfied Family The Garcia family loves their current PCM and has no planned surgeries for 2027. They **take no action**. Their TRICARE Prime coverage automatically carries over into the next year with no paperwork required.
## Related terms * **Qualifying Life Event (QLE):** A specific change (marriage, birth, move) that allows plan changes outside of Open Season. * **T-5 Contract:** The current TRICARE contract structure that designated TriWest as the West Region manager as of 2025. * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum amount you pay out-of-pocket for covered services each calendar year. * **Network Provider:** A doctor or hospital that has a contract with Humana Military or TriWest to provide care at negotiated rates. * **Primary Care Manager (PCM):** The "gatekeeper" doctor in TRICARE Prime responsible for all routine care and referrals.
## Sources * TRICARE.mil Open Season Hub: https://www.tricare.mil/openseason * Defense Health Agency (DHA) Cost Sheets: https://www.tricare.mil/costs * Humana Military (East Contractor): https://www.humanamilitary.com/ * TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Contractor): https://www.triwest.com/",faq:[{answer: