Military retirees and eligible beneficiaries who use Tricare have until Dec. 12 to enroll in or make changes to their health care coverage.

Tricare open season, which began Nov. 13, allows beneficiaries who use Tricare Prime or Tricare Select to stay on their plan, enroll in a plan or change plans. Changes go into effect Jan. 1.

Additionally, eligible beneficiaries have until Dec. 11 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 began Nov. 13 and expires Dec. 11.

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.

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.

For more information on Tricare open season, click here. For information on health plan costs for 2024, click here.

For more on the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, click here.