Every fall, several health coverage enrollment windows open at once, and veterans often sit in the middle of more than one of them. The mail starts arriving, the ads start running, and it is easy to sign up for something you do not need — or miss something you do.
Health coverage is also a money decision. The wrong plan can mean premiums you did not need to pay, or medical bills that end up in collections. Here is how the pieces fit.
This fall's key dates
- Medicare Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 7. For people already on Medicare to change plans.
- TRICARE Open Season: November 9 – December 8, 2026. For eligible TRICARE Prime and Select beneficiaries, such as military retirees and their families. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.
- Federal Benefits Open Season (including FEDVIP dental and vision): November 9 – December 14, 2026.
- Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov): November 1 – January 15. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. Enrollment between December 16 and January 15 generally means coverage starting February 1.
Some states run their own Marketplace with different deadlines. Arizona uses HealthCare.gov.
VA health care has no open enrollment
This is the part many veterans do not realize. According to the VA, you can apply for VA health care at any time. There is no annual window.
Eligibility has also expanded. Under the PACT Act, the VA began enrolling more veterans starting March 5, 2024 — including many who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other post-9/11 combat zones, and those with certain toxic exposures. Combat veterans who separated after September 11, 2001 also have an enhanced eligibility period of 10 years after discharge.
If you were told years ago that you did not qualify, it is worth checking again at va.gov/health-care/eligibility.
VA health care and the Marketplace
HealthCare.gov states that if you are enrolled in the Veterans health care program, you are considered covered under the health care law.
That has a money consequence. According to CMS guidance, a veteran enrolled in VA health care is not eligible for the premium tax credit on a Marketplace plan. If you enroll in VA health care and also buy a Marketplace plan, expect to pay full price for it.
Two groups should look closely at the Marketplace:
- Family members. VA health care covers the veteran, not the household. HealthCare.gov notes that dependents who are not eligible for VA health care can get coverage through the Marketplace.
- Veterans not enrolled in VA health care. You can use the Marketplace like anyone else, and may qualify for savings based on income.
VA health care and Medicare
If you are approaching 65, the VA's guidance is clear: it encourages veterans to sign up for Medicare even if they have VA health care.
The reasons it gives:
- Medicare lets you see non-VA doctors and hospitals, which gives you more options.
- Delaying Medicare Part B enrollment can mean a late enrollment penalty that stays with you.
- The VA notes that future VA funding is not guaranteed and that VA health care does not cover family members.
Medicare's fall Open Enrollment is for people already on Medicare to change plans. Your first chance to enroll is generally tied to when you turn 65, so check those dates with Medicare directly well ahead of your birthday.
Should you drop other insurance?
The VA advises against dropping private coverage just because you are enrolled in VA health care. Having other insurance does not reduce the VA benefits you can get, and the VA can bill your insurer for care of conditions not related to your service. The VA states you will not have to pay any balance your insurance does not cover — though you may still owe VA copays depending on your priority group.
Watch for enrollment-season scams
Open enrollment brings a wave of calls and ads. Be cautious of:
- Callers who say your Medicare or VA benefits will lapse unless you "verify" your information
- Anyone asking for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details on a call you did not start
- Plans marketed as "for veterans" that are really something else, like a limited benefit or discount plan
Go to the source: Medicare.gov, HealthCare.gov, tricare.mil, and VA.gov. Free, unbiased Medicare counseling is also available through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, which you can find at shiphelp.org.
A note on what this is
Coverage rules depend on your service history, family, income, and other insurance, and they change. This is a general guide, not advice for your situation. Confirm the details with the program itself before you enroll or drop anything.
If medical bills or coverage gaps are already affecting your credit or budget, Credit4Vets can help you sort out what to tackle first — free.
Sources: HealthCare.gov — Dates and deadlines · HealthCare.gov — Veterans · Medicare.gov — Joining a plan · TRICARE — Open Season · VA — Health care eligibility · VA — The PACT Act and your VA benefits · VA — VA health care and other insurance · CMS — Veterans deep dive (Marketplace)