Did you know that your health care options change when you experience certain life events? A qualifying life event (QLE) is a change in life such as marriage, birth of a child, or retirement from Active Duty. A QLE kicks off a 90-day period during which you can make enrollment changes. If one family member experiences a QLE, the entire family is able to make health plan changes.
Depending on eligibility, you and your family may be able to:
- Enroll in a new TRICARE health plan, including US Family Health Plan
- Change your health plan coverage
To enroll in or change your health plan, you must:
- Update DEERS with your QLE
- Make the enrollment changes in the 90-day period following the QLE
- Pay enrollment fees or premiums during that period
More information on each of these scenarios can be found on the TRICARE website.
What to Do Following a QLE
1. Update your or your family member’s information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
2. Once the changes show in DEERS, you may make you changes online, by mail, or by phone.
What Happens if I Don’t Take Any Action?
If you remain eligible and are happy with your current plan, you do not need to take action.
When you retired from Active Duty, you must make a decision within 90 days of your retirement. You will lose your TRICARE coverage if you do not enroll in a health plan during your 90-day period.
Making Enrollment Changes Without a QLE
If you have not experienced a QLE, you must wait until TRICARE Open Season to make changes. TRICARE Open Season occurs each fall, beginning on the second Monday of November through the second Monday of December.
For more information on TRICARE Open Season, visit the TRICARE website.