How To Change TRICARE Plans: 2026 Guide | TRICARE.com

*Disclaimer: 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 enrollment, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Quick answer You can change your TRICARE plan during the annual **Open Season** (typically mid-November to mid-December) or following a **Qualifying Life Event (QLE)** such as marriage, birth of a child, or a PCS move. To switch, you must submit an enrollment change via the Beneficiary Web Enrollment (BWE) portal, by phone with your regional contractor, or by mailing a paper enrollment form.

Details

### 1. Enrollment Windows Unlike civilian insurance, you cannot change TRICARE plans at any time unless you meet specific criteria: * **TRICARE Open Season:** This occurs every year. The changes you make during Open Season take effect on January 1st of the following year. * **Qualifying Life Events (QLEs):** If you experience a QLE, you have **90 days** from the date of the event to change your plan. Common QLEs include: * Moving (permanent change of station or relocation). * Marriage, divorce, or legal separation. * Birth or adoption of a child. * Retiring from active duty. * Gaining or losing other health insurance.

### 2. How to Make the Change Once you are eligible to switch (during Open Season or a QLE), use one of these three methods: * **Online:** Visit the [Beneficiary Web Enrollment (BWE)](https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/) portal via milConnect. * **Phone:** Call your regional contractor. * **East Region:** Humana Military (1-800-444-5445). * **West Region:** TriWest Healthcare Alliance (1-888-TRIWEST). *Note: TriWest replaced Health Net as the West contractor as of Jan 1, 2025.* * **Overseas:** International SOS. * **Mail:** Download the correct enrollment form (e.g., DD Form 2876 for Select/Prime) from the TRICARE website and mail it to your regional contractor.

### 3. Costs Associated with Switching There is generally no "fee" to switch plans, but your out-of-pocket costs will change based on your 2026 plan selection: * **TRICARE Prime:** Usually involves no enrollment fees for active duty families, but retirees (Group A) pay approximately **$391.50 per individual** or **$783.00 per family** annually (2026 rates). * **TRICARE Select:** No enrollment fees for Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs). Retirees pay an annual enrollment fee (varies by group status — check TRICARE.mil for current 2026 figures). * **Point of Service (POS):** If you switch from Prime to Select, your "deductibles" will start over for the calendar year unless the switch is within the same plan type.

### 4. Special Considerations for Premium-Based Plans If you are enrolled in **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)**, **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)**, or **TRICARE Young Adult (TYA)**, you can actually switch or purchase these plans at any time throughout the year. You are not locked into the Open Season schedule, as these represent "premium-based" voluntary coverage.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Changing from Prime to Select or vice versa. * **Retirees and their families:** Managing annual enrollment fees and plan types. * **National Guard & Reserve:** Transitioning between TRS and active duty status. * **Young Adults:** Transitioning from child status to TYA.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil (Enrollment):** [https://www.tricare.mil/enroll](https://www.tricare.mil/enroll) * **Humana Military (East):** [https://www.humanamilitary.com/](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West):** [https://www.triwest.com/](https://www.triwest.com/) * **Defense Health Agency (QLEs):** [https://health.mil/](https://health.mil/)