Editor’s Note: This article is part of MOAA’s 2025-26 TRICARE Guide, brought to you by MOAA Insurance Plans, administered by Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA). A version of the guide appeared in the November 2025 issue of Military Officer magazine. 

TRICARE Open Season will run from Nov. 10 to Dec. 9, allowing beneficiaries to make changes to their plans that will take effect at the start of the new year.

Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance (FEDVIP) plan participants have a similar window to make changes (Nov. 10-Dec. 8). More information is available at BENEFEDS.gov.

Medicare’s open enrollment period runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 annually.

Details on 2026 plans had not been released as of Sept. 16.

About Open Enrollment

These open enrollment periods are the only times beneficiaries can change coverage plans outside of a qualifying life event (QLE). What constitutes a QLE varies across programs (TRICARE | FEDVIP | Medicare).

More details to know:

• TRICARE Open Season applies only to those who have, or who qualify for, coverage under TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, or the US Family Health Plan. It does not impact TRICARE For Life beneficiaries. Learn more about available TRICARE plans using the plan comparison tool.
  
  
• FEDVIP Open Season includes the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program and flexible spending account (FSA) programs. Federal employees can learn more about their options under these plans at the Office of Personnel Management website.
  
  
• Medicare Open Enrollment allows all Medicare beneficiaries to join, drop, or switch Medicare Advantage Plans (MAPs). Another open enrollment period from Jan. 1 to March 31 allows those already in a MAP to switch to another plan or drop MAP coverage entirely. Plan changes take effect the first of the month following enrollment. TRICARE For Life coverage is not impacted by Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan changes so long as a beneficiary remains enrolled in either.