Several years ago, I was stationed in Colorado. I’d never snow skied, but after my first initiation-by-fire trip, I was feeling comfortable and actually considered myself a somewhat fearless skier. I would go hard and fast until I hit something or just fell. Ski equipment would scatter from where I fell to where I slid to a stop—meaning I spent a lot ...

With the end of the year approaching, it’s a good time to consider your family’s healthcare needs for the coming year. As you think about things like scheduling preventive care visits and knowing your 2025 TRICARE costs, you should also note some changes coming to TRICARE in 2025.

Respiratory syncytial virus is a common but potentially dangerous respiratory illness. Immunizations are available to protect TRICARE beneficiaries who are considered high risk from RSV infection. These immunizations help protect older adults and newborns, who face higher risks from respiratory illness.

Changes are coming to TRICARE’s regional contracts Jan. 1, 2025. These changes will affect you if you live in the U.S. The key to a smooth transition is to take a few simple steps now, before the end of the year.

Do you get your prescriptions at a military pharmacy in the U.S.? You should know that the Defense Health Agency is upgrading to a new prescription refill system at military pharmacies. The new Interactive Voice Response system will help standardize refill notices.

If you get care outside of a military hospital or clinic, it’s important to understand your civilian provider options. TRICARE’s new regional contracts, which begin Jan. 1, 2025, will affect the TRICARE provider networks in the U.S. You’re now able to check the network provider directories for both the East Region and West Region.

Lance Cpl Sara Vanegas is a Marine with the Wounded Warriors Batallion East at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. She is a talented artist who is finding community through her art and the Warrior Care Program. Learn more about the many resources and programs available at health.mil/warriorcare.

Time is running out to review and update your TRICARE health plan for 2025. TRICARE Open Season ends Tuesday, Dec. 10, marking your last day to enroll in a new plan or make changes to your health coverage.

There will be changes to the TRICARE regions in the U.S. on Jan. 1, 2025. While there will still be two TRICARE regions, six states currently in the East Region will move to the West Region. There are also some ZIP codes in four of these states that will be exceptions to the region changes.

Each military service selects its physical fitness tests to meet its unique mission needs. All services’ fitness tests include measures of aerobic fitness, such as a timed run, and muscular health, such as the push-up. Depending on the service, the fitness test can include sprinting, carrying weighted items, or deadlifts.

It’s that time of year again—TRICARE Open Season is here. Open season, which began Nov. 11, runs until Dec. 10. During this period, most beneficiaries with TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select can make changes to their health plan for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2025.

The new 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine is now available. Getting vaccinated helps protect not just you, but also your family members and fellow community members.

Navigating your healthcare appointments at military hospitals and clinics is convenient with the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal’s scheduling feature.