Dependents relying on TRICARE have seen several key changes in 2025, and more adjustments are on the horizon for 2026. Expanded eligibility for young adults, new protections for survivors, and a reshuffling of regional plans are already reshaping how families access care. For military families, understanding these updates is essential to maintaining coverage and exploring better options.
One of the most talked-about developments involved young adult dependents. Currently, TRICARE coverage for children ends at age 21, or 23 if they’re enrolled full-time in college. Beyond that, families often turn to TRICARE Young Adult (TYA), a premium-based plan that can hit some households with monthly fees of several hundred dollars. In 2025, that premium reached $337 per month for TRICARE Select, while Prime costs soared to $727 per month – a stark contrast to civilian plans covering youth up to age 26 at no additional cost.
To bridge the gap, lawmakers introduced the bipartisan Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act, which would extend TRICARE dependent coverage to age 26 at no extra cost. Its backers include Senator Kelly, Murkowski, and Warren, and Representatives Ryan and Kiggans. If passed, this reform would align military families with typical civilian health insurance standards. It is currently gaining momentum as more families share the financial burden of exorbitant premiums.
In addition to age-related reforms, TRICARE is also refining how coverage works after a sponsor dies for a narrow group of beneficiaries. Starting on October 1, 2025, survivors of non-activated National Guard or Reserve members will be able to continue or purchase TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) coverage for up to three years following the sponsor’s death, an update intended to ease the transition to survivor benefits.
Another significant change affecting families is the reshuffling of TRICARE regions. Beginning on January 1, 2025, six states – to include Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin – switched from the East to the West Region. Since the West Region is now managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance rather than Health Net, families were required to take action: anyone paying via bank transfer or credit card had to resubmit their payment to TriWest before the end of the year, or risk losing coverage. Those using military allotment payments did not need to act. These region changes promise benefits such as streamlined referrals, broader telehealth access, and a stronger provider network.
Looking ahead to 2026, TRICARE will pilot a new type of Prime plan in Atlanta and Tampa under a demonstration project with CareSource Military & Veterans. Starting January 2026, eligible family members will gain access to a managed-care-style option that eliminates referrals and introduces a dedicated provider network. Retirees and families in these regions will have enrollment fees waived for the first year, after which standard Bronze Prime rates apply. They’ll also benefit from services like 24/7 nurse advice, virtual care, and care coordination, but they must still rely on military facilities for emergencies.
Putting it all together, 2025 delivered meaningful, although incremental, gains for military families. Young adults may soon enjoy longer access to affordable health care. Surviving dependents gain a buffer through expanded coverage. Regional health networks are shifting, forcing administrative attention but offering improved access. Next year’s pilot programs in major metro areas could lay the groundwork for more flexible care options nationwide.
For today’s military families, close attention and proactive follow-through remain vital. Dependent families should monitor TRICARE announcements, stay current in DEERS, submit required payments on time, and see if their young adults qualify for extended coverage. If you’re in Atlanta or Tampa and want to change plans, open season late this year is your opportunity. All of these changes underscore a system in motion which, when navigated well, can better meet the evolving needs of servicemembers and their dependents.
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