TRICARE Enrollment Dates & Open Season 2026 | TRICARE.com

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not an official government platform. For official policy and enrollment actions, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Quick answer Most TRICARE beneficiaries can only enroll in or change health plans during the annual **Open Season**, which typically runs from the Monday of the second full week in November to the Monday of the second full week in December. Outside of Open Season, you may only change your coverage within 90 days of a **Qualifying Life Event (QLE)**, such as a marriage, birth, or retirement.

Details

### 2026 Open Season Dates While the specific dates are finalized each autumn by the Defense Health Agency (DHA), TRICARE Open Season for the 2027 plan year is projected to run from **November 9, 2026, through December 14, 2026**. Changes made during this window take effect on January 1, 2027.

### Plans Subject to Open Season The following plans generally require enrollment during the annual window: * TRICARE Prime (and TRICARE Prime Remote) * TRICARE Select * US Family Health Plan (USFHP)

### Qualifying Life Events (QLEs) If you missed the Open Season window, you cannot change your plan until the next year unless you experience a QLE. You have **90 days** from the date of the event to log into the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and update your coverage. Common QLEs include: * **Family Changes:** Marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, or death of a family member. * **Moving:** Relocating to a new zip code or moving to/from an overseas location. * **Job Changes:** Loss or gain of other health insurance, or a change in status (e.g., separating from active duty). * **Government Status:** Children aging out at 21 (or 23 if full-time students).

### Plans with Continuous Enrollment Some "premium-based" plans do not follow the Open Season calendar. You can enroll in or cancel these at any time: * **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** * **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** * **TRICARE Young Adult (TYA)** * **TRICARE For Life (TFL):** This is automatic once you have Medicare Part A and B; there is no enrollment period or fee.

### Enrollment Fees (2026 Rates) If you enroll during Open Season or a QLE, you may be subject to enrollment fees. * **Group A Retirees (Enlisted/Commissioned before 2018):** For 2026, TRICARE Select enrollment fees are approximately $183/individual or $366/family (subject to annual inflation adjustments; check TRICARE.mil for final 2026 figures). * **Group B (Joined 2018 or later):** Fees for Select and Prime are typically higher than Group A. * **Active Duty:** There are no enrollment fees for Active Duty Service Members or their families.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Family Members:** Must use Open Season to switch between Prime and Select. * **Retirees and their families:** Requires enrollment during Open Season to re-enter a plan or switch options. * **National Guard and Reserve:** Use Open Season for Prime/Select if on active duty orders; otherwise, use TRS/TRR continuous enrollment. * **Survivors:** Subject to the same Open Season rules as retirees.

## Sources 1. TRICARE.mil: Enrollment and Open Season (https://www.tricare.mil/openseason) 2. Defense Health Agency (DHA): TRICARE Plan Comparison (https://www.tricare.mil/plans) 3. Humana Military (East Region Contractor): (https://www.humanamilitary.com) 4. TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region Contractor): (https://www.triwest.com)