Make sure to mark your calendars for these Tricare and other health benefits deadlines

Members of the U.S. military community need to be aware of critical health care enrollment deadlines approaching soon. Missing these dates could delay changes to your coverage.

Tricare Open Season Tuesday, Dec. 9

The Tricare open season concludes at midnight Eastern Standard Time. During this period, beneficiaries can adjust their Tricare health plans, including switching between Tricare Prime and Tricare Select. To compare plans and enroll, visit tricare.mil/openseason or use the Beneficiary Web Enrollment portal at milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil.

If no changes are made now, the next opportunity will be during next years open season or after a qualifying life event, such as the birth of a child.

New Tricare Prime Option in Atlanta and Tampa

This open season introduces a new Tricare Prime option for beneficiaries in the Atlanta, Georgia, and Tampa, Florida, areas. This demonstration project allows access to in-network specialists without referrals. Coverage changes made during open season will take effect on January 1, 2026. Beneficiaries should ensure their information is current in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System at tricare.mil.deers.

No action is required for those satisfied with their current health plan. Open season applies to beneficiaries in Tricare Prime, Tricare Prime Remote, U.S. Family Health Plan, Tricare Prime Demonstration Project, Tricare Prime Overseas, Tricare Prime Remote Overseas, Tricare Select, and Tricare Select Overseas. Individual active-duty members and Tricare for Life participants are not affected. Premium-based plans, including Tricare Reserve Select, Tricare Retired Reserve, and Tricare Young Adult, are available year-round.

Federal Benefits Open Season Monday, Dec. 8

Enrollment in dental, vision, and tax-saving accounts ends at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Eligible military members can sign up for dental and vision coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) at www.benefeds.gov.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Military members can also enroll in a health care flexible spending account (FSA) and a dependent care FSA. In 2026, individuals can set aside up to $3,400 in a health care FSA. Dependent care FSAs can cover up to $7,500 per year for married couples filing jointly or for single/head-of-household filers. Visit fsafeds.gov to enroll. Enrollment does not automatically carry over from previous years.

Tricare Prime Demonstration Project 2026

Approximately 150,000 Tricare beneficiaries in the Atlanta and Tampa metropolitan areas will have access to a new Tricare Prime option next year. Enrollment during open season is required. More information is available at enrolltricare.com or by calling 877-996-9333, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. Enrollment is also possible via the web portal at milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil.

CareSource Military and Veterans will administer three-year demonstration projects for these regions, covering active-duty family members, National Guard or Reserve families, retirees, their family members or survivors not eligible for Medicare, and participants in the Transitional Compensation Program.

Participants in the Tricare Prime demo will not need referrals for in-network specialty care, while current Tricare Select members may opt to switch to this program for additional case management and coordinated care. Enrollment fees are waived for retirees, their families, and survivors during the first year. Active-duty members and transitional survivors also do not pay enrollment fees.

CareSource will assist families in navigating provider selection, appointment scheduling, and personalized support. CareSource Military and Veterans is part of a national nonprofit managed care organization serving over 2 million members.

Analysis: Upcoming Tricare and Federal Benefits Deadlines

The approaching Tricare and Federal Benefits open seasons present critical deadlines for U.S. military beneficiaries. Tricare open season ends Tuesday, Dec. 9 at midnight EST, allowing eligible members to switch plans, including the new Tricare Prime option in Atlanta and Tampa. Changes take effect January 1, 2026, and require current information in DEERS.

Federal Benefits open season closes Monday, Dec. 8 at 11:59 p.m. EST. This window covers enrollment in dental, vision, and flexible spending accounts. Members must actively enroll; prior year participation does not carry over.

The new Tricare Prime demonstration in Atlanta and Tampa introduces specialist access without referrals and waives enrollment fees for retirees, their families, and active-duty members. Beneficiaries should review their current coverage and consider options carefully, as missing the deadlines will delay any changes until next year or a qualifying life event occurs.

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• Don’t miss these Tricare and other health benefits deadlines

Author: Maya Henderson
Maya Henderson is a journalist focused on technology and startups. She has experience in leading IT publications and excels at conducting interviews and creating visual content.