From Copays to Logins: Here's What's Changing for TRICARE Beneficiaries in 2027

Like all medical insurance programs, including government-run programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, TRICARE will be making its annual adjustments to its programs and coverage, including out-of-pocket costs, coverage options, program features, and how beneficiaries can access their portal online.

The tricare.mil/changes page has not been updated since July 6 of this year, but there are some things that we do know. The Defense Health Agency (DHA) has already posted those planned changes in the Federal Register, and out-of-pocket changes are linked to the federal COLA and Consumer Price Index.

Open Season is the annual period when beneficiaries can enroll or change their enrollment in TRICARE for the next calendar year. This year, Open Season runs from November 9 through December 8, 2026, for medical plans. For dental and vision plans under the Federal Benefits Open Season (FEDVIP), Open Season ends on December 14, 2026, giving you six extra days beyond the medical deadline. All changes made during Open Season take effect on January 1, 2027. If you don't make any changes, then your coverage remains the same (of course with any adjustments to cost-sharing). Beneficiaries can check or update their information on DEERS.

How Cost Is Changing for FY2027

First, cost increases almost always follow the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which is governed under federal law and is automatic. Cost changes really only affect those who are not enrolled in TRICARE Prime and receive most of their care at military treatment facilities (MTF).

For all others, they can expect their enrollment fees, premiums, caps, deductibles, and co-pays to go up commensurate with the approved federal COLA. The COLA for retired pay (and Social Security) is automatic and is based on the change in the Consumer Price Index - Wages.

In 2025, that adjustment was 2.5%, and in 2026 it was slightly higher at 2.8%. We can expect TRICARE out-of-pocket expenses to increase by roughly the same percentage in FY2027. There is one exception: pharmacy out-of-pocket expenses, which remain unchanged going into the next calendar year.

TRICARE’s Annual Announcements

There are program features that the DHA adjusts each year. They range from adding features, adjustments to eligibility, and changes to service areas. Two things are not changing: Prime Service Areas remain the same, and Urgent Care visits still do not require a referral.

"The number of urgent care visits remains unlimited without referrals for TRICARE Prime enrollees for Plan CY 2027. Beneficiaries may receive urgent care from TRICARE-authorized urgent care centers (UCCs) and convenience clinics (CCs), either network or non-network, without a referral," explained the Federal Register Notice.

Prime Service Areas remaining unchanged means that if you are enrolled in Prime, your MTF will likely remain the same. For Urgent Care, it’s still the same, and there are different rules depending on whether the urgent care clinic or convenience clinic is in network or not.

Beneficiaries seeing out-of-network providers in urgent care or convenience care clinics can expect to pay co-pays and deductibles. Active duty service members have different rules, so it's always best to ask the MTF Patient Advocate well beforehand if possible.

What’s Extended in 2027

TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries, including active duty, family members, and retirees and their family members, may elect to participate in a "Competitive Plans Demonstration.”

The test program is limited to certain zip codes in the metro Atlanta, Georgia, and Tampa, Florida, areas. TRICARE beneficiaries in those areas who enroll will receive their care solely through CareSource Military & Veterans. According to their website, CareSource is a “national, nonprofit managed care organization serving over 2 million members in 12 states,” and it already provides health care via Medicaid and other government-sponsored healthcare programs.

Beneficiaries in the Atlanta and Tampa areas can check to see if they are eligible using TRICARE’s Plan Finder.

Also new in 2027 is a five-year nationwide demonstration for how Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusions (PHBT) are paid and reimbursed. Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusion is a practice pioneered on the battlefield and has a proven track record of saving trauma patients' lives. Initial DHA analysis led to the conclusion that TRICARE beneficiaries were bearing more of the cost of this procedure than intended, and researchers found that the cost to the patient could be an average of around $237 per unit of blood given by first responders. The DHA plan is to continue evaluating costs and determine the appropriate reimbursement, subject to co-pays and deductibles, of course.

Finally, the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration has been extended for five more years. This means beneficiaries may still access certified labor doulas, lactation consultants, and lactation counselors until December 31, 2031.

Program and Benefit Changes

Active duty family members enrolled in TRICARE Prime Remote, who are more than 50 miles or a one-hour drive from their MTF pharmacy, will no longer be charged a co-pay for using a local pharmacy. This is a significant time and money saver for military families.

A host of new treatments have now been added to TRICARE’s approved list. They include the Optune (TM) Tumor Treating Fields Device, an ablative fractional laser for the treatment of scars resulting from burns and other trauma, as well as liver transplant for metastatic colorectal cancer, among others. The full list of newly approved procedures and devices can be found here. There is also new provisional coverage for “vertebral body tethering,” an alternative to spinal fusion therapy for treating adolescent scoliosis.

One treatment has already been terminated. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) devices were excluded from coverage effective July 1, 2026, for all conditions except acute post-operative pain.

Lastly, just like the VA, TRICARE is transitioning from DS-LOGON as the common authentication to myAuth. DS-LOGON shut down completely on September 30, 2026. You can create a myAuth login from any login page (VA.gov, TRICARE.mil, etc.).

Beneficiaries can link their current DS-LOGON account if they create their new myAuth credentials before the end of September. Multifactor Authentication (MFA) is required, and those without a CAC will be required to use the Okta app on their phone or PC. If you have questions, the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) help desk is available at 800-368-3665.

Keeping up with changes in TRICARE, no matter whether you’re on active duty, a retiree, or a family member, will ensure you can make the most of your plan and your coverage.