11/30/2020, Nov. 30, 2020 —
Have you set up payment for your new TRICARE Select 2021 enrollment fees yet? If not, time is running out. If you’re a TRICARE Select Group A: If you or your sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment occurred before January 1, 2018, you are in Group A. retiree, you must set up your payment by Dec. 31 if you want to have TRICARE Select or TRICARE Overseas Program Select coverage on Jan. 1, 2021. You’ll be disenrolled from TRICARE if your TRICARE contractor doesn’t receive your payment.
“The deadline is quickly approaching for those who still need to set up their TRICARE Select enrollment fee payments,” said Mark Ellis, chief of the Policy and Programs Section of the TRICARE Health Plan at the Defense Health Agency. “Setting it up only takes a few minutes. And it’s an easy process that you can complete online.”
You need to arrange payment with your TRICARE contractor through an allotment if you get your retirement pay through a military pay center. However, if you missed the Nov. 20 allotment deadline, you must now set up your allotment and you may be required to pay the first month or more of your enrollment fees before Dec. 31 to avoid a break in coverage. Don’t attempt to set up your allotment directly through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, or DFAS. You must apply through your TRICARE regional contractor.
Not able to pay by allotment? You must set up payment by electronic funds transfer from a U.S. bank account, credit card, or debit card. You may also be required to pay for one or more months of your enrollment fees before Dec. 31 to avoid a break in TRICARE coverage. If you need help, your TRICARE contractor can guide you step-by-step through the process:
- In the East region: Under the new regional contracts, the East Region is a merger of the North and South Regions and includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa (Rock Island area), Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri (St. Louis area), New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (excluding El Paso area), Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin., visit Humana Military.
- In the West region: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa (excludes Rock Island arsenal area), Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri (except St. Louis area), Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas (southwestern corner including El Paso), Utah, Washington and Wyoming., visit Health Net Federal Services, LLC.
- Overseas, visit International SOS Government Services, Inc. or contact your TRICARE Overseas Program Regional Call Center.
Remember, if you fail to set up your allotment or automatic payments by Dec. 31, you’re subject to disenrollment from TRICARE Select on Jan. 1. If you’re disenrolled because of non-payment, you’ll have 180 days from your termination date to request reinstatement. You’ll have to pay all enrollment fees back to Jan. 1, 2021 to reinstate TRICARE Select coverage. Without reinstatement, you can only get care from a military hospital or clinic if space is available. And you’ll be responsible for all of your civilian health care costs.
Want to change your plan? If you’re eligible for a TRICARE Prime plan, you can switch from TRICARE Select anytime before open season ends Dec. 14. Download the TRICARE Plans Overview to learn more about your choices.
Don’t forget—Dec. 31 is your last chance to set up payment for your new enrollment fees. Your monthly payments start Jan. 1, 2021. To learn more, visit TRICARE Select Enrollment Fees or check out these frequently asked questions. And be sure to contact your TRICARE contractor if you have other questions. Take care of your new enrollment fees now, so you can continue to get your TRICARE benefit when you need it.