Tricare beneficiaries need to be aware of changes occurring in both the East and West regions that, at worst, could cause many users to accidentally throw out their health care plans next year if they don’t take certain steps.

The insurance program, offered to active-duty soldiers, reservists and retirees, is transitioning to a new set of contracts called “T-5” for the management of two regions, starting January 1, 2025. The Western Region is moving to a new contractor and a new network of healthcare providers, while six states are moving from the Eastern Region to the West.

opening of the registration season Work is currently underway for 2025 coverage for Tricare Prime and Tricare Select users. Neither contract amendments nor open enrollment apply to these individuals. Tricare for life Automatic wrap coverage for Medicare Part A and Part B users.

tricare says new contracts It will “increase the delivery, quality, and cost” of its services to U.S.-based beneficiaries by providing better “network flexibility,” “beneficiary selection,” and telehealth appointments. Meanwhile the future congressional oversight Information contained in House and Senate committee reports prepared while drafting the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act will purportedly address the ability of Tricare’s provider networks to fully meet the needs of beneficiaries.

Karen Ruedisueli, director of government relations for health affairs for the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), shared some of the following recommendations for adapting to Tricare changes in 2025, including the possibility of “large numbers of individuals being disenrolled as of January 1.” ” if they do not provide payment information to a new contractor.

Here’s what you need to know:

Six States Are Changing Tricare Regions

Ruedisueli said the U.S. government’s goal of moving six states from the Eastern Region to the West is to better balance Tricare beneficiaries between the two regions. Where are the six states 1.1 million eligible beneficiaries Those that will move from the Eastern Region to the West are Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin.

New Tricare West Region Contractor Brings New Provider Network

While Humana Military Health will continue to manage the Tricare Eastern Region under Humana’s new T-5 contract, the Western Region will transition from Health Net Federal Services to TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

Now that Tricare open enrollment has begun, Western Region beneficiaries can find out if their doctor is still in network by logging in with their plan information. 2025 Western Region provider directory.

Our Tricare Open Enrollment Continues

Tricare Prime and Select members can now change their 2025 coverage through December 10. annual open enrollmentthese beneficiaries can only change the coverage if they encounter a problem. quality life event such as a move or the birth of a child.

See also: Tricare Costs Rising Again in 2025

Cannot Change Scope in milConnect

The Department of Defense’s milConnect system will not be available for beneficiaries to enter enrollment changes into their medical plans during the transition. To change plans, users must contact their regional contractor by phone, mail, or fax. Users for the West Region, including those new to the West, should forward open enrollment plan changes to: new contractor, TriWest.

Tricare West Region Users Need to Update Payment Information – Or They’ll Regret It

MOAA’s Ruedisueli said the organization is most concerned that Tricare users in the Western Region who paid premiums or enrollment fees for their insurance had to submit their payment information to new contractor TriWest before that date.

“It’s the contractors who handle the payment information, and right now Health Net in the West region has that payment information, and they can’t just send it to TriWest,” Ruedisueli explained. “Beneficiaries paying via credit card or electronic funds transfer — and I think that’s not an insignificant number; “I think hundreds of thousands of people will have to give this payment information to TriWest.”

Users will need primary email addresses registered with the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Log in to TriWest and set up automatic payments. Members paid through salary allocations do not need to do anything.

Everyone Should Update Their Contact Information on DEERS

Not all beneficiaries will be required to take action during contract transition, but Tricare recommends that everyone check to make sure their contact information in DEERS is correct. Confirming that your contact information is up to date will “help ensure you don’t miss important communications” during the transition.

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