Changes
Upcoming Changes to TRICARE
The Military Health System (MHS) is modernizing TRICARE to better serve you and respond to changes in law and policy. Most provisions will go into effect on January 1, 2018, with full implementation occurring on January 1, 2019.
You will find changes that may affect you listed in this section. We are still finalizing some policies and will update this page when additional details become available. Check back frequently and Sign up for Email Updates.
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Changes That May Affect You
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Overview
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Health Plans
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- TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra will become the new TRICARE Select plan.
- TRICARE Prime and other TRICARE plans will undergo additional changes.
- TRICARE For Life (Medicare wrap-around coverage) won’t change.
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Costs
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- You may need to pay an enrollment fee, depending on your plan and when you became eligible for TRICARE.
- Some costs will change annually starting on Jan. 1, 2018.
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Enrollment
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- You will be automatically enrolled on Jan. 1, 2018 if you already have a plan or are eligible for TRICARE on Dec. 31, 2017.
- After Jan. 1, 2018, you must enroll in a TRICARE plan to get or change coverage.
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Stateside Regions and Contractors
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- The North and South regions will become the new East regionUnder the new regional contracts, the East Region is a merger of the North and South Regions and includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa (Rock Island area), Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri (St. Louis area), New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (excluding El Paso area), Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin..
- The West regionAlaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa (excludes Rock Island arsenal area), Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri (except St. Louis area), Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas (southwestern corner including El Paso), Utah, Washington and Wyoming. will remain the same.
- Your regional contractors may change.
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Accessing Care
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- Certain urgent care and primary care providers will offer extended hours.
- Technological improvements will improve access.
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What’s Covered
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- You can expect expanded coverage.
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What Can I Do to Prepare?
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What You Need to Do
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Important Dates
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Update your information in DEERS:
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Now
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Sign up for TRICARE benefit updates.
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Ongoing
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Update your payment information if you use electronic payments. (You will be contacted by your regional contractor.)
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Beginning
Oct. 1, 2017
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>>Sign up for Email Updates
When Is This Happening?
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What You Need to Know
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Date
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The new network provider directories available. Check if your current provider is in network.
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Beginning
Nov. 1, 2017
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You’ll be notified by your regional contractor if you’re being assigned a new Primary Care Manager.
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Beginning
Jan. 1, 2018
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New East and West regional contractor’s call center will be open for enrollment questions.
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Beginning
Nov. 20, 2017
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The processing of new enrollments will be delayed during December as we transfer files to new regional contractors.
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December 2017
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Explanation of Benefits (EOB) are going paperless. They will be available electronically only unless you specifically request to receive them by mail.
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Jan. 1, 2018
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Suggestions?
If you have suggestions on information you want to know about the upcoming changes, please email them to: dha.tricare-changes@mail.mil.
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