TRICARE preparing to enter Open Season

Jacksonville, FL — Two changes are coming to TRICARE starting on November 12th.

Acting Chief of the TRICARE Health Plan Patrick Grady says there will be an Open Season from November 12th to December 10th. During this time, if someone is in a TRICARE health plan currently whether that is Prime or Select this opportunity will be for their family to change. The other change deals with the TRICARE Dental and Retirement plan which will be ending at the end of this year.

Grady tells WOKV, TRICARE will instead transition to a dental and vision program which will be managed by OPM. This program will have the same open date as the health plan starting on November 12th through December 10th. In contrast to the health plan open season, Grady says people can choose a plan or not but whichever coverage they already have will roll over onto the next year.

"In terms of TRICARE Retiree Dental plan, if you don't make an active choice during the open period, you will not have coverage starting the following year."

Grady tells WOKV, TRICARE wants to emphasize to their beneficiaries that they need to take an active role starting on November 12th to choose a dental and vision plan. Eligible TRICARE beneficiaries will have four vision plan options.

"We're also very excited about offering a vision plan which enhances what they are provided today in terms of vision coverage in their current TRICARE program."

To recap – Grady says if someone is happy with their health plan – they do not need to choose any new plan since it will automatically carry over. However, on the dental side beneficiaries must take an active role in choosing their plan in order to ensure coverage on January 1st, 2018.