Health Matters (East) Newsletter

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This quarterly newsletter provides information about your TRICARE benefit. This stateside edition contains information specific to beneficiaries living in the East Region. Learn how to find your region.

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Issue 3 | 2026

  • TRICARE Open Season begins Monday, Nov. 9
    TRICARE Open Season begins Monday, Nov. 9. If you’re eligible for TRICARE, this is your chance to enroll in a health plan or change plans for coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2027. You can make eligible changes through Tuesday, Dec. 8.
  • Know your TRICARE pharmacy options and learn where you can fill prescriptions
    Are you looking for other ways to get your prescriptions that better fit your needs? You’re in luck! When it comes to your prescriptions, the TRICARE Pharmacy Program gives you several options for how to fill them. 
  • Turning 65? What you need to know about Medicare and TRICARE For Life
    Turning 65 brings important changes to your healthcare coverage. If you’re eligible for TRICARE when approaching your 65th birthday, you may wonder what steps to take next. Be sure to read the notice you were sent five months before your 65th birthday. 
  • Q&A: Understanding the Global Nurse Advice Line
    Do you know what to do when you or a family member feels sick, but it’s outside of business hours? Should you go to an urgent care clinic or the emergency room, or wait until your doctor’s office is open? Luckily, TRICARE has a service called the Global Nurse Advice Line that can help when you need healthcare guidance. 
  • No more missed payments—set up electronic payments today!
    Electronic payments are fast, secure, and convenient. With the East Region’s streamlined options, you never have to remember your due date; there’s no need to call or mail anything in.
  • Get smart with claims
    TRICARE East has tools to help answer your claims questions. Whether you want to submit a claim on your own or have questions about an explanation of benefits, we have resources to help you. 

FAQ image

What is TRICARE Open Season and when is it?

The TRICARE Open Season is an annual period when you can enroll in, change, or disenroll from a TRICARE health plan. Each year, it runs from the Monday of the second full week in November through the Tuesday of the second full week in December. In 2026, it will run from Nov. 9-Dec. 8, 2026.

Changes you make during the TRICARE Open Season go into effect January 1 of the following year. 

If you don't want to make a change, you don't have to do anything. Your current plan continues next year if you remain TRICARE-eligible.

The TRICARE Open Season applies to:

The TRICARE Open Season doesn’t apply to:

To learn more, visit TRICARE Open Season.

If you miss the TRICARE Open Season, you can change your enrollment if you have a Qualifying Life Event. These are events such as marriage, divorce, and the birth or adoption of a child. To learn more, visit QLE.

The TRICARE Open Season isn’t the same as the Federal Benefits Open Season. The TRICARE Open Season is for TRICARE health plans. The Federal Benefits Open Season is for Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program dental and vision plans.

Find a provider

Find doctors, specialists, and other healthcare providers using TRICARE East’s easy-to-use search tool. Filter by name, specialty, virtual health, or in-person, as well as location, to locate care that best fits your needs. Discover your options with the Find Care tool.

Last Updated 10/22/2026