TRICARE Open Season 2024: Key Dates, Tips, and Action Items

If you’re a TRICARE beneficiary, it's almost that time again—TRICARE Open Season is just around the corner. Starting November 11 – December 10, you’ll have the chance to update, switch, or enroll in health plans for coverage that begins January 1, 2025. With changes to regional contractors and some online limitations, staying informed will help you make the most of this time. Here are some tips, key dates, and action items to help you navigate TRICARE changes and Open Season:

Important Dates to Remember

• October 28 – December 31: Beneficiaries in the U.S. will not be able to use milConnect to make changes in their health plans during this time. To make any changes to your health plan, you will need to call your regional contractor directly.
• November 11 – December 10: TRICARE Open Season—the annual opportunity to adjust or start coverage.
• January 1, 2025: New TRICARE regional contracts go into effect, shifting some states to a different region and a new contractor.

What to Know: Key Changes and Details

Limited Online Enrollment: If you live in the U.S. and need to update your plan from October 28 through December 31, you’ll have to call the TRICARE contractor for your region directly. Online changes through milConnect or the Beneficiary Web Enrollment portal (BWE) won’t be possible during this period.

However, if you are not yet enrolled in a TRICARE plan and want to enroll between now and December 31, you can still do this online via milConnect.

Region Transitions and New Contractors: On January 1, six states (Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin) will move from the East Region to the West Region, with TriWest Healthcare Alliance taking over as the new West Region Contractor. If you live in the West Region or a state that is moving to the West Region and pay enrollment fees or premiums via credit card or bank transfer, you may have to provide your payment information to TriWest.

TRICARE Open Season: What Are Your Options?
Eligible TRICARE beneficiaries can:

• Keep your current plan
• Switch to a different plan that fits your family’s needs, or
• Enroll in a TRICARE plan if you’re not currently covered.

What to Do: Steps to Get Ready

From October 28 – December 31:

• Check Your Information in DEERS: Log in to DEERS to verify your contact information. Accurate information means you’ll get timely updates and avoid delays.
• Call Your Regional Contractor for Plan Changes: If you live in the U.S. and need to switch your plan or primary care manager, you’ll need to call instead of updating online.
• East Region: Contact Humana Military at 800-444-5445
• West Region: Contact TriWest Healthcare Alliance at 888-874-9378

*NOTE: If you live in a state currently attached to the West region or live in one of the six states transitioning to the West region, you will need to contact TriWest if you want to change your health plan during Open Season. We realize this may be confusing, so we came up with a few scenarios that might help eliminate some of that confusion:

• Scenario #1: You currently live in the TRICARE West region. You want to change your plan during Open Season from TRICARE Prime to TRICARE Select. In this scenario, starting on Nov 11, you would need to contact the new West Region Contractor, TriWest, to make those changes by calling 888-874-9378.
• Scenario #2: You currently live in the TRICARE East region and will PCS to California on November 20. In this case, you will need to call the current TRICARE West Contractor, Health Net Federal Services, at 844-866-9378 to make the change from East to West.
• Scenario #3: You currently live in Texas, which is one of the six states moving from TRICARE East to TRICARE West beginning Jan 1. You currently have TRICARE Select but want to switch to TRICARE Prime during Open Season. In this scenario, starting Nov 11, you would need to contact the new TRICARE West Contractor, TriWest, to make this change by calling 888-874-9378.
• Scenario #4: You currently live in Texas, which is one of the six states moving from TRICARE East to TRICARE West beginning Jan 1. You have a baby on Nov 12 (congrats!). In this case, because the effective date of the baby’s benefits would occur before Jan 1, you would contact the current TRICARE East Contractor, Humana, to make those changes by calling 800-444-5445.
  • Overseas: Update via milConnect or reach out to International SOS for support.

During TRICARE Open Season (November 11 – December 10):

• Make Your Health Plan Choice: This is the time to enroll, switch, or confirm your TRICARE plan for 2025. Even if you’re keeping your current plan, those in the West Region may need to update payment information.

After January 1, 2025:

• New Regional Support with TriWest: If you reside in the West Region, the new contractor, TriWest, will be available to support you with provider networks and referrals. ‘

Additional Tips for a Smooth Transition

• Check the Provider Directories (available by November 2) to see if your current providers are staying in-network. This is especially important if you see a specialist about chronic conditions and have a greater need to preserve continuity of care.
• Attend the “Get Ready for TRICARE Open Season and 2025 Region Changes” Webinar on November 14 for the chance to get your questions answered by TRICARE Experts. You can also watch the replay if you can’t make it or view past TRICARE webinars here.
• Keep Up with Updates on the TRICARE Newsroom and sign up for email alerts so you don’t miss new information.

NMFA is Here to Support

With big changes on the horizon, TRICARE Open Season is your opportunity to prepare for the upcoming transition to new regional contracts. NMFA is committed to supporting military families like yours through these changes. We’ll be closely monitoring this transition and would love to hear from you! Share your experiences with us during Open Season and as the contract changes take effect in 2025. Together, we can ensure the best possible outcomes for all military families because Together We’re Stronger®.