Disenrolling from TRICARE Prime

    You don't have to reenroll every year to continue TRICARE Prime coverage, but certain events will cause you to be disenrolled.

    Sponsor Status Change

    Any change in the sponsor's status (for example, active duty to retired, National Guard or Reserve deactivation) will cause an automatic disenrollment. If you're still eligible for TRICARE Prime after the status change, you can:

    Note: When an active duty service member retires, they'll be required to pay annual enrollment fees to reenroll in TRICARE Prime.

    Voluntary Disenrollment

    • ADSMs can't disenroll from TRICARE Prime.
    • All others can choose to disenroll at any time. If you don't enroll in another plan, such as TRICARE Select, you'll only be able to receive care at military hospitals and clinics if space is available, and you'll only be eligible for pharmacy benefits at military pharmacies.

    You can disenroll from TRICARE Prime via:

    • Web: Log in to Beneficiary Web Enrollment.
    • Phone: Call your regional contractor.
      • East: 800-444-5445
      • West: 888-TRIWEST (874-9378)
      • Overseas: Call the Regional Call Center for your overseas area.
    • Mail:
      1. Download your region’s disenrollment form:
      2. Complete Sections I and III of the form. In Section I:
        • Check the box for "Disenroll."
        • Add the effective date in #9.
        • Skip #10.
      3. Mail the form to your regional contractor (addresses are on the forms).

    Non-Payment of Enrollment Fees

    If you don't pay your TRICARE Prime enrollment fees (if applicable), the TRICARE contractor will disenroll you. You have 90 days from the date you were disenrolled to catch up on any missed payments. If you do this, you won’t have a break in coverage. If you don't catch up on missed payments within 90 days, you won’t have TRICARE coverage. You can’t reenroll in TRICARE Prime or enroll in any other plan until the next TRICARE Open Season or until you have a qualifying life event.

    Loss of Eligibility

    If you lose eligibility for TRICARE, your TRICARE Prime coverage will automatically end.  

    • You may qualify for continued health coverage under the Transitional Assistance Management Program
    • If you don't qualify for TAMP, you can purchase temporary coverage through the Continued Health Care Benefit Program.
    • You aren't required to purchase the CHCBP. Instead, you may use employer-sponsored health insurance, Medicaid, or any other plan offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
    • When you become eligible for Medicare on your 65th birthday, you're no longer able to enroll in TRICARE Prime. If you have both Medicare Part A and Part B, you can use TRICARE For Life.

    Last Updated 4/11/2025