Military retirees and eligible beneficiaries who use Tricare have until Dec. 9 to enroll in or make changes to their health care coverage.

Tricare open season, which began Nov. 10, closes on Dec. 9. During this period, beneficiaries who use Tricare Prime, Tricare Select or the U.S. Family Health Plan can opt to stay on their plan, enroll in a plan or change plans. Changes go into effect Jan. 1.

Beneficiaries who are satisfied with their plan don’t need to do anything—their coverage will continue automatically for 2026.

Those who are not already in a plan and don’t enroll during open season could still receive care, but they will “only be eligible for care at a military hospital or clinic if space is available,” according to the Tricare website. Outside of Tricare open season, beneficiaries can enroll or change their enrollment following certain life events, including marriage, the birth of a child or retirement from active duty.

For 2026, active-duty family members, retirees and their eligible family members In Atlanta and Tampa, Florida, also can enroll in a new Tricare Prime option. Managed by CareSource Military and Veterans, enrollees will get care from CareSource’s network of primary and specialty care providers. Part of a three-year test, the program aims to give beneficiaries an additional option while improving access to care, officials said when the program was announced in May.

Open season does not apply to active-duty service members. It also does not apply to Tricare for Life—coverage is automatic for eligible beneficiaries who have Medicare Part A and Part B, according to Tricare.

Premium-based plans, including Tricare Reserve Select, Retired Reserve and Young Adult, also are not impacted by open season. Eligible beneficiaries can buy these plans at any time throughout the year, according to Tricare.

Additionally, eligible military beneficiaries have until Dec. 8 to enroll in or make changes to their vision and/or dental coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. Known as FEDVIP, the program, managed by the Office of Personnel Management, offers a range of plans at varying costs, and coverage is not automatic, so beneficiaries must act to enroll in a dental or vision plan.

Open season for FEDVIP is Nov. 10–Dec. 8.

For more information on Tricare and FEDVIP open seasons, click here.