For military families, the window to make important healthcare decisions is open right now — and the choices made in the next few weeks will shape medical costs and coverage for all of 2027. Understanding what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and what options are available could mean the difference between manageable healthcare bills and unexpected financial strain.
Tricare open season is currently underway and runs through December 8. It covers those enrolled in or eligible for Tricare Prime or Tricare Select — the two main healthcare plan options in the military system. Separately, the 2026 Federal Benefits Open Season, which includes dental, vision, and flexible spending accounts, started Monday and runs through December 14. Any changes made during these enrollment windows take effect January 1, 2027.
This year, most military families who pay out-of-pocket for Tricare coverage will see their costs go up. Across the board, co-payments for covered services are rising by roughly 4%, which typically translates to $1 to $3 more per outpatient visit. For retirees and their families who are not yet eligible for Medicare, enrollment fees are also climbing about 4%. The steepest enrollment fee — $1,233.96 — applies to certain retirees in Tricare Select who are covering their whole family, up from $1,191 in 2026.
Active-duty service members themselves do not pay enrollment fees or most out-of-pocket costs for Tricare-covered services, but their family members may face costs depending on the plan, the service member’s pay grade, and what group they fall into based on when they entered the military.
What Group Are You In?
Federal law divides Tricare beneficiaries into two groups based on the service member’s start date. Those who joined the military before January 1, 2018 are in Group A. Those who joined on or after that date are in Group B. Some cost increases apply specifically to Group B families. For instance, in Tricare Select, a Group B family with a service member at the E4 pay grade or below will see their annual deductible increase by $5, to $137. Families of E5 and above in Group B will see their deductible rise by $14, to $411.
For emergency room visits, some costs are also going up. Active-duty family members in Group A using Tricare Select will pay $107 per emergency room visit in 2027, compared to $103 in 2026 — a $4 increase. Some others in Tricare Select will see ER costs rise by $5.
One piece of good news: pharmacy costs will not change in 2027. Beneficiaries can still get most prescriptions filled at military pharmacies at no cost, and they can also use the Tricare Pharmacy Home Delivery program or retail pharmacies within the Tricare network.
The Steepest Increases: Premium-Based Plans
The largest cost hikes are hitting families enrolled in Tricare’s premium-based plans, which are purchased separately and can be bought at any time during the year. These plans serve National Guard members, reservists, young adult dependents, and retired reservists — groups that often have fewer employer-sponsored coverage options and may feel cost increases more acutely.
Tricare Young Adult Prime, which covers unmarried adult dependents between the ages of 21 and 26, is jumping 12.5% — from $794 per month in 2026 to $893 per month in 2027. The Tricare Young Adult Select option is rising 8.5%, from $363 to $394 per month.
For Selected Reserve members and their families, Tricare Reserve Select costs are increasing 4.5% for service-member-only coverage, reaching $60.54 per month. Adding family coverage brings the monthly cost to $307.48 — a 7.2% jump from $286.66 in 2026.
Tricare Retired Reserve sees some of the sharpest hikes. Service-member-only coverage will cost $707.59 per month in 2027, up 9.5% from $645.90. Adding family coverage brings the total to $1,697.70 per month, a 9.6% increase from $1,548.30.
Dental and Vision Coverage
Dental coverage is handled separately from primary Tricare health plans. Active-duty families, National Guard members, and reservists — whether on active duty or not — are eligible for the Tricare Dental Program, which requires a separate enrollment. Those premiums will remain unchanged through February 28, 2027.
Most retirees and their family members, meanwhile, are eligible for dental and vision coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, known as FEDVIP. Active-duty family members and selected reservists and their families are eligible for FEDVIP vision coverage, as long as they are enrolled in a Tricare health plan. Families can compare dental plan options by ZIP code and enroll or update existing plans at benefeds.gov. FEDVIP open season ends December 14.
Flexible Spending Accounts Can Lower Your Tax Bill
Active-duty service members are also eligible to sign up for flexible spending accounts — a tax-saving tool that often goes underutilized. Through the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program, known as FSAFEDS, troops can set aside pre-tax money to pay for healthcare costs and dependent care expenses like childcare. Because contributions come out before taxes are calculated, the accounts effectively reduce a family’s taxable income and lower their overall tax bill.
The sign-up window for FSAFEDS also ends December 14. Families can get more information and set up accounts for 2027 at fsafeds.gov. FSAFEDS offers free benefits counseling to help families understand how much to set aside.
For families who want guidance before making any changes, the Defense Department offers free financial counseling through personal financial management counselors located at many military installations. Tax counselors are also available year-round through DoD’s Military OneSource program.
To review plan options, compare costs, or make changes online, by phone, or by mail, visit Tricare.mil/openseason. Those happy with their current Tricare or FEDVIP plans do not need to take any action. But for anyone considering a change, the clock is ticking — the Tricare open season window closes December 8.
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