One thing you can count on with government benefits is that TRICARE Open Season continues, even during a shutdown. If there is a budget lapse, retirees and Veteran families can still review, enroll in, or switch TRICARE health plans.

Missing the Open Season window could lead to risks, such as higher premiums or gaps in coverage, until the next open enrollment period. This year, Open Season runs from November 10 to December 9, 2025, and any changes will start on January 1, 2026.

This is your annual window of opportunity to make changes, unless you qualify for a special enrollment period.

What Veterans & Retirees Can Do During Open Season

During Open Season, you can stay in your current TRICARE plan, enroll in a new plan for the first time if you are eligible, or switch between TRICARE Prime, Select, or USFHP if these are available where you live.

Three steps to choosing the best plan for you:

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1. Cost: Compare the premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses for TRICARE Prime, Select, and USFHP. Generally, TRICARE Prime offers lower costs but less provider choice.

2. Provider Choice: TRICARE Select and USFHP allow you more choice in healthcare providers compared to TRICARE Prime, which requires selecting a primary care manager within the network.

3. Location: Ensure that the plan you choose is available in your area. TRICARE Prime has specific catchment areas, while USFHP is available only in specific regions.

Active-duty service members do not use Open Season, and TRICARE For Life is not included. If you already have TFL, you do not need to do anything.

FEDVIP & Vision/Dental Plans: Don’t Miss This

Retired uniformed service members and their families can get FEDVIP dental coverage, and if they are enrolled in a TRICARE health plan, they can also get FEDVIP vision coverage.

Imagine if your spouse needs a dental crown next year; the FEDVIP dental plan could significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Similarly, if your child needs new glasses, the FEDVIP vision plan can help cover those costs.

These benefits are managed separately from TRICARE, but the Open Season dates are the same: November 10 to December 9, 2025. For Veterans and survivors, this is the only time outside of a qualifying life event to change or enroll in FEDVIP for the next year.

HCFSA Now Open to Uniformed Services

This year, many active-duty family members, certain National Guard and Reserve members, and some other eligible uniformed service members can enroll in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) through FSAFEDS.

An HCFSA lets you set aside pre-tax money to pay for medical, dental, and vision costs not covered by TRICARE, like glasses for a dependent, over-the-counter medicines, or copays.

Retirees can use this benefit only if they are employed by a non-military federal employer that offers FSAFEDS. Be sure to confirm your eligibility and employer situation before enrolling.

You can make changes online through milConnect (Beneficiary Web Enrollment), call your regional contractor, or mail an enrollment form, which must arrive during Open Season. To keep your coverage uninterrupted, make sure your information in DEERS is current before you start any enrollment changes.

Veteran Checklist for 2025 TRICARE Open Season

1. Mark the dates: TRICARE Nov. 10–Dec. 9; FEDVIP/FSAFEDS Nov. 10–Dec. 9
2. Confirm DEERS info
3. Compare TRICARE Prime vs. Select vs. USFHP
4. Review or change your FEDVIP plan.
5. Explore eligibility for a Health Care FSA (if applicable)
6. Enroll or make changes via milConnect or your contractor.
7. Save confirmation documents; new coverage starts Jan. 1

This window only comes once a year. Whether you're happy with your current TRICARE plan or you’re ready to make a switch, Open Season is the time to act. And even with a shutdown, nothing in the Open Season calendar has changed.

Suggested reads:

• Government Shutdown Delays VA Chapter 35 Benefits Payments to Students
• VA Stopping Paper Checks: What Veterans Need to Know After the Deadline
• What Veterans Should Know to Navigate the Survivor Benefits Plan Open Season