Tricare and FEDVIP Open Seasons: What You Need to Know

Military.com | By Jim Absher and Amanda Miller

Updated October 07, 2024 | Published October 16, 2023

Every year from mid-November to mid-December, federal health insurance plans offer an open enrollment period, also known as open season. This open season gives beneficiaries enrolled in these insurance plans a chance to make changes to their annual contracted coverage.

This year's open season will run from Nov. 11 to Dec. 10, 2024, for Tricare; and Nov. 11 to Dec. 9 for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).

Outside of this annual open enrollment season, changes may be made only if one experiences what is known as a "qualifying life event."

Open Season

Long a part of the civilian benefits routine, open season offers the opportunity to enroll in or change health insurance coverage under Tricare or FEDVIP for the upcoming year.

What Can You Do During Open Season?

Tricare

During open season, beneficiaries can enroll in a new Tricare plan or change their coverage. Any changes made to Tricare coverage during open season will be effective for the new year.

Open season does not apply to Tricare Reserve Select, Tricare Retired Reserve, Tricare Young Adult, or Tricare for Life.

FEDVIP

During open season, dependents of active-duty members can purchase vision insurance, and military retirees can purchase vision and dental insurance, through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).

During open season, they may:

Enroll in a new vision or dental plan
Cancel FEDVIP coverage
Switch to a new insurance company
Switch to a different level of coverage (standard or high)
Switch to a different family plan (self, self plus one, or family)

As with Tricare, outside of open season, the only other time to make changes to FEDVIP coverage is after a qualifying life event.

With all FEDVIP plans, there are three options:

Self-only coverage
Self-plus-one (probably, but not necessarily, your spouse) coverage
Self and family coverage

Keep Up With Changes to Tricare and Your Other Benefits

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Jim Absher

Jim Absher is Military.com's former benefits editor and columnist. He joined the Navy to see the world and later realized the world is two-thirds water. He also worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs in field offices and Washington, D.C. before coming to Military.com in 2015. Read Full Bio

Amanda Miller

Amanda Miller is an editor and writer for Military.com specializing in coverage of military and veteran pay and benefits. She became a journalist in the 1990s, began covering the military in 2007 for Military Times, and has since contributed to a number of military-oriented publications including Military Officer Magazine, The War Horse, and Air & Space Forces Magazine. Read Full Bio

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