Home › Military & veterans › TRICARE Open Season
As of Oct. 21, 2026
| Change | During Open Season? | Other times |
|---|---|---|
| Enroll in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select | Yes | Within 90 days of a qualifying life event (move, marriage, birth, retirement) |
| Switch Prime ↔ Select | Yes | Qualifying life event only |
| Individual ↔ family enrollment | Yes | Qualifying life event only |
| Active duty service member's own plan | No (must use Prime) | Not applicable |
| TRICARE For Life | Not part of Open Season | Automatic with Medicare Parts A and B |
| Dental/vision (FEDVIP) | Separate OPM Open Season, Nov. 9 - Dec. 14 | Qualifying life event |
The Federal Register notice (Sept. 18, 2026) says 2027 enrollment fees, deductibles, caps and copays tied to the retired pay COLA will be posted at tricare.mil/changes before Open Season, and that urgent care stays unlimited without referrals for Prime in 2027. Until then, see the 2026 numbers on our TRICARE costs page.
Sources: Federal Register 2026-19115: TRICARE changes for 2027 TRICARE: 2027 cost changes page
Facts and arithmetic from official sources, not financial, legal or investment advice. VaultRubric is not part of DoD, VA, TRICARE or OPM. This page has no partner links.
Nov. 9 through Dec. 8, 2026, for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2027 (Federal Register 2026-19115).
Enroll in or switch between TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select, and change between individual and family enrollment. Active duty members must stay in Prime.
Your current plan continues if you stay eligible. Outside Open Season you can change only within 90 days of a qualifying life event.
Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.