TRICARE Blog & News Guide: Official vs Independent Updates

*TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense or the official TRICARE program. For official policy and the latest updates, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Quick answer There is no single "TRICARE Blog," but rather a network of official news feeds and educational resources maintained by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and its regional contractors, Humana Military and TriWest. These resources provide mission-critical updates on 2026 enrollment deadlines, pharmacy changes under Express Scripts, and shifting benefit policies for military families.

## In detail Staying informed about TRICARE requires monitoring three primary official channels. Because TRICARE is currently operating under the **T-5 Contract** (effective Jan 1, 2025), information from 2024 or earlier regarding West Region management is now obsolete.

### 1. The Official TRICARE Newsroom Managed by the Defense Health Agency, the [TRICARE Newsroom](https://newsroom.tricare.mil/) serves as the central hub for policy changes. For 2026, key topics include: * **Annual Open Season:** Updates on the mid-November to mid-December window to switch between TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select. * **Cost Share Adjustments:** Annual publication of "Group A" vs. "Group B" copayments. * **The Health of the Benefit:** Reports on preventive care initiatives and mental health access.

### 2. Regional Contractor Updates While not structured as traditional "blogs," the regional contractors provide "News & Announcements" sections that are specific to your geographic location. * **East Region (Humana Military):** Focuses on provider network updates in the eastern U.S. and coastal states. * **West Region (TriWest Healthcare Alliance):** Critical for beneficiaries in the western U.S. following the 2025 transition from Health Net Federal Services. Their updates cover the new provider directories and claims processing workflows.

### 3. The Pharmacy & Express Scripts Feed Because pharmacy benefits are managed at a national level, Express Scripts maintains a specific "Health News" portal. This is where beneficiaries find updates on: * **Formulary Changes:** Which drugs are moving from "Brand" to "Non-Formulary" status. * **Copay Increases:** For 2026, TRICARE Pharmacy home delivery and retail costs are subject to scheduled increases (e.g., typically $16 for a 90-day supply of generic home delivery, check TRICARE.mil for current exact 2026 rates).

Comparison of Information Sources

| Source Type | Key Focus | Best For... | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE.mil News** | Policy & National Changes | Open Season, new benefits, eligibility | | **TriWest / Humana** | Regional Networks | Finding doctors, local referrals, claims | | **Express Scripts** | Prescription Drugs | Medication costs, mail-order status | | **TRICARE.com** | Independent Analysis | Plain-English guides, cost comparisons |

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** Updates on TRICARE Prime Remote and specialty care referrals. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Information on ECHO (Extended Care Health Option) and autism care demonstrations. * **Retirees:** Critical updates on TRICARE For Life (TFL) and moving from Group A to Group B cost categories. * **National Guard & Reserve:** Tracking changes to TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) monthly premiums.

Common scenarios

### Scenario 1: The New Retiree A Service Member retiring in June 2026 needs to know how their costs change. They check the TRICARE newsroom for the **2026 Costs and Fees sheet**. They find that as a Group A retiree, their enrollment fee for TRICARE Prime is approximately $392 per individual or $784 per family (estimated 2026 rates; verify with TRICARE.mil).

### Scenario 2: The PCS Move to the West A family moving from Virginia to California in 2026 needs to know who manages their care. They read transition updates explaining that **TriWest** took over the West region on Jan 1, 2025. They use the TriWest portal news feed to find new PCM (Primary Care Manager) options in San Diego.

### Scenario 3: Medication Cost Increase A beneficiary using brand-name drugs hears "news" about price hikes. They check the Express Scripts update for TRICARE to see if their specific medication has moved to the **Non-Formulary** list, which could increase their copay to $76 or more for a 90-day supply.

## Related terms * **Open Season:** The annual period (typically Nov–Dec) when you can enroll in or change health plans for the following year. * **T-5 Contract:** The fifth generation of TRICARE contracts which reorganized regions and changed the West contractor to TriWest. * **Qualifying Life Event (QLE):** An event like marriage, birth, or PCS that allows you to change plans outside of Open Season. * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** The joint-service agency that manages the TRICARE program. * **DEERS:** The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System; the database that determines if you are eligible for TRICARE.

## Sources * **TRICARE Newsroom:** https://newsroom.tricare.mil/ * **Humana Military (East):** https://www.humanamilitary.com/ * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West):** https://www.triwest.com/ * **TRICARE Pharmacy (Express Scripts):** https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/