New Year brings changes to TRICARE

  • Published
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

The new year will bring changes to TRICARE benefits. Taking effect Jan. 1, 2018, these changes will give beneficiaries more benefit choices, improve access to network providers, simplify cost programs, streamline paperwork and ultimately allow individuals to take control of their health.

The 325th Medical Group hosted an informational briefing Dec. 4, 2017 in effort to raise awareness of TRICARE’s coming changes.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2018, the three current TRICARE regions, North, South and West, will consolidate into two regions, the East and West. Humana Military will manage the East region and Health Net Federal Services, LLC will manage the West. While the new regional contractors assume their responsibilities, a temporary freeze starting Dec. 1 and lasting approximately three weeks is planned on enrollments into TRICARE health plans.

Active duty service members and their families will continue to be automatically enrolled into TRICARE Prime and may not experience any changes as most care will continue to be provided by their primary care provider. On Jan. 1, 2018, eligible family members not in a TRICARE Prime Service Area will be enrolled into TRICARE Select.

TRICARE Select is replacing TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra both stateside and overseas. Beneficiaries will no longer be required to have a PCM and will be able to visit any TRICARE- authorized providers for services covered by TRICARE without a referral. TRICARE Select implements a number of improvements, including additional preventive care services previously only offered to TRICARE Prime beneficiaries.  

Before the New Year arrives, it is recommended that beneficiaries take the following actions to aid in the transition process:

For more information about TRICARE and the coming changes, visit www.tricare.mil/changes. And follow TRICARE on Facebook and Twitter.