TRICARE Moving Guide: Plans, Regions & DEERS Updates | TRICARE.com

When you move, you don’t need to re-enroll in TRICARE, but you must update your address in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) immediately. Moving is a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), giving you a 90-day window to change your TRICARE plan if your new location offers different coverage options.

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program. For official policy, visit TRICARE.mil.*

In detail

Moving is one of the most common Qualifying Life Events (QLEs) in the military. Because TRICARE is managed regionally, a move often means changing your primary care manager (PCM), your regional contractor, or even your specific health plan.

### 1. Update DEERS First Your TRICARE coverage follows your address in the **Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)**. If DEERS has an old address, your claims may be denied, and your enrollment could be terminated. You can update DEERS: * **Online:** Visit the [milConnect website](https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/). * **By Phone:** Call 1-800-538-9552. * **In Person:** Visit a local RAPIDS ID card office.

### 2. The 90-Day Window Once your address is updated in DEERS, you have **90 days** from the date of your move to make changes to your TRICARE plan. If you miss this window, you may have to wait until the next Open Season (typically held in the fall) to change plans.

### 3. Regional Shifts (East vs. West) The United States is divided into two regions. If you move between them, you will interact with a new contractor: * **TRICARE East:** Managed by **Humana Military**. * **TRICARE West:** Managed by **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** (as of Jan 1, 2025).

If moving overseas, your coverage will be managed by **International SOS**.

### 4. Choosing a New Plan The plans available to you depend on your new zip code: * **TRICARE Prime:** Generally available in Prime Service Areas (PSAs), usually near military installations. If you move more than 40 miles (or a 30-minute drive) from a PSA, you may need to switch to TRICARE Select. * **TRICARE Select:** A PPO-style plan available anywhere in the U.S. It offers more flexibility in choosing doctors but involves higher out-of-pocket costs. * **TRICARE For Life:** If you have Medicare Parts A and B, your coverage moves with you automatically, but you should still update DEERS to ensure your TRICARE Prime Clinic or pharmacy mail-order options remain accurate.

### 2026 Costs to Consider While moving itself doesn't trigger a fee, switching plans might change your cost structure. For 2026, TRICARE Select Group A retirees face an annual enrollment fee of approximately **$391.50 per individual** or **$783.00 per family** (estimated 2026 rates; actual amounts are adjusted annually for inflation). Active duty families continue to have $0 enrollment fees for both Prime and Select.

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Service Members:** You must coordinate with your new unit; your plan (Prime) stays the same, but your PCM will change. * **Active Duty Families:** May switch between Prime and Select depending on the new location's Prime Service Area status. * **Retirees:** Moving may necessitate a switch from Prime to Select if moving to a rural area. * **National Guard/Reserve:** Those on TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) must update DEERS; their monthly premiums stay the same regardless of location.

Common scenarios

### Scenario A: The PCS Move Sgt. Miller moves from Fort Liberty, NC (East Region) to Fort Irwin, CA (West Region). * **The Action:** He updates DEERS. He calls TriWest to transfer his family's Prime enrollment. * **The Cost:** $0 transfer fee. His 2026 copays for specialty care remain $0 as long as he follows the referral process.

### Scenario B: The Retirement Move Major Green retires and moves from a large base in Texas to a rural cabin in Montana. * **The Action:** Montana has no Prime Service Area near his cabin. He must switch from TRICARE Prime to TRICARE Select. * **The Cost:** As a Group A retiree in 2026, he will pay his annual enrollment fee (roughly $783/family) and now faces a $150-$300 deductible that he didn't have on Prime.

### Scenario C: Moving Overseas A Navy family moves from Norfolk to Naples, Italy. * **The Action:** They must enroll in TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) Prime. * **The Contractor:** They shift from Humana Military to International SOS.

## Related terms * **Qualifying Life Event (QLE):** A certain change in your life, such as moving, marriage, or birth, that allows you to enroll in or change your TRICARE health plan outside of Open Season. * **Prime Service Area (PSA):** A geographic area where TRICARE Prime is offered, usually within 40 miles of a military hospital or clinic. * **PCM (Primary Care Manager):** The doctor or clinic responsible for your care and for coordinating referrals under a Prime plan. * **DEERS:** The database that tracks eligibility for military benefits; it is the "source of truth" for TRICARE. * **GRI (Global Remote Individual):** A status for those living in remote overseas locations away from military assets.

## Sources * TRICARE.mil: Moving with TRICARE - https://www.tricare.mil/moving * Defense Health Agency: DEERS Information - https://www.dha.mil * Humana Military (East Region) - https://www.humanamilitary.com * TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region) - https://www.triwest.com