News from our Partners: TRICARE Open Season and Changes Coming Soon for Some TRICARE Select Retired Beneficiaries
TRICARE Open Season
The 2020 TRICARE Open Season begins November 9 and ends December 14, 2020.
If you’re eligible to participate in TRICARE Open Season, you have three choices for your 2021 health coverage. You may:
•Enroll in a plan. If you’re eligible for but aren’t currently enrolled in a TRICARE Prime option or TRICARE Select, you can enroll for 2021 coverage.
•Change plans. If you’re already enrolled in a TRICARE Prime option or TRICARE Select, you can switch plans for 2021 coverage. You may also change your type of enrollment, for example switching from individual to family enrollment.
•Do nothing. If you want to stay in your current TRICARE health plan, you don’t have to take any action. You’ll continue in your current health plan through 2021 or as long as you’re eligible. (Note: If you’re a Group A retiree enrolled in TRICARE Select, you may still have to take action. See the info below.)
Find out more about Open Season at:
https://tricare.mil/CoveredServices/BenefitUpdates/Archives/09_08_2020_Open_Season_is_Coming_Take_Time_to_Prepare_Now
New Monthly TRICARE Select Enrollment Fee for Group A Retired TRICARE Select Beneficiaries
Starting on Jan. 1, 2021, TRICARE Select
Group A retired beneficiaries must pay monthly enrollment fees in order to maintain their TRICARE health coverage. This is a change, and the first time this beneficiary group will pay enrollment fees.
“In 2021, some TRICARE beneficiaries will pay enrollment fees for the first time, a change mandated by Congress,” said Dr. Danita Hunter, director of the TRICARE Health Plan at the Defense Health Agency. “We’re communicating this well before the change is implemented so beneficiaries can be informed about the change, as well as their TRICARE plan and cost options.”
Here are the key points you need to know.
What’s happening?
Retired TRICARE Select beneficiaries will have to pay enrollment fees. This change was mandated by Congress in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year October 1 - September 30 2017. Congress granted the Defense Health Agency a delay in implementation to calendar year 2021.
Who’s impacted?
This change only affects Group A. If you or your sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment occurred before January 1, 2018, you are in Group A. retirees and their family members enrolled in
TRICARE Select. You’re in Group A if your initial enlistment or appointment or that of your uniformed services sponsor began before Jan. 1, 2018. Active duty family members enrolled in TRICARE Select will experience no change, and won’t pay enrollment fees.
This applies to me. When do I need to take action?
You must set up monthly payments to start on Jan. 1, 2021. You can establish payments via electronic funds transfer, credit card, or debit card. Your
regional contractor will soon issue instructions to set up payment.
What are the 2021 enrollment fees for TRICARE Select Group A retirees?
The enrollment fees will be collected via monthly installments from the sponsor’s military pay system where retired pay is disbursed.
- Individual plan: $12.50 per month
- Family plan: $25 per month
How can I stay informed and prepare for this change?
Visit the
TRICARE Select Enrollment Fees page on the TRICARE website for updates and
sign up for email alerts. TRICARE will inform you of specific actions you need to take in the coming months. Take command of your health and your health care benefits in 2020.
Page last updated on Sept 16, 2020