Kiggans, Ryan Introduce Bipartisan TRICARE Transition Transparency Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representatives Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Rob Wittman (VA-01), and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), introduced the TRICARE Transition Transparency Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation to ensure military families and retirees receive clear, timely notices when their TRICARE coverage is about to change.

The bill requires the Department of War (DoW) to notify TRICARE beneficiaries one year, 180 days, and 30 days before a coverage change takes effect. Notices must be delivered electronically and supported by a proactive outreach campaign through TRICARE's website, social media, and family readiness groups.

Rep. Kiggans said, "As a Navy veteran and Mom, I know firsthand how critical it is for servicemembers, retirees, and their families to have reliable access to healthcare. Too often, families are caught off guard by coverage changes that create confusion, gaps in care, or unexpected costs. This bipartisan bill ensures TRICARE beneficiaries get repeated, clear reminders, well in advance, so they can plan, budget, and make informed decisions."

Rep. Ryan said, "Military families have sacrificed so much for this country-it's absolutely unacceptable that their coverage can be ripped away without notice. It's entirely un-American. This bipartisan legislation will provide critical transparency to military families, and keep the rug from getting ripped out from under them. Especially amid rising health care costs in the Hudson Valley and nationwide, we have to be all-hands-on-deck to deliver much-needed relief to military families across the country. Our military families have stepped up and sacrificed for us, now we need to do right by them."

Rep. Wittman said, "Our military families and retirees deserve the best-which includes transparency and clarity about changes to their healthcare. Too often, changes in coverage come with too little notice, jeopardizing the well-being of recipients and putting undue stress on families. I'm proud to cosponsor the TRICARE Transition Transparency Act, bipartisan legislation that will deliver for military families and retirees by ensuring they receive clear and punctual notice of changes to their TRICARE coverage."

Rep. Goodlander said, "America's military families sacrifice every day for our country. But right now under our laws, basic healthcare can be ripped away from them without notice. That is dead wrong. And our bipartisan bill will right this wrong."

"The TRICARE Transition Transparency Act will ensure military families are notified when approaching life events that trigger changes in TRICARE eligibility. TRICARE is a complex benefit and awareness of pending eligibility changes is key to ensuring seamless coverage and access to health care. MOAA appreciates Rep. Kiggans' leadership on this important legislation, and we look forward to supporting her efforts to improve TRICARE communication to military families," said MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret).

Read the bill here.

Read the one-pager here.

Background:

• Under current rules, dependent children lose regular TRICARE eligibility at age 21 (or 23 if enrolled in school). Families may purchase TRICARE Young Adult coverage until age 26, but premiums exceed $570/month for TYA Prime and $300/month for TYA Select.
• At age 65, beneficiaries must enroll in Medicare Part B to maintain TRICARE for Life coverage, a requirement many retirees learn about too late.
• These transitions often come with little advance notice, leading to missed enrollment windows, coverage gaps, and higher out-of-pocket expenses.

The TRICARE Transition Transparency Act of 2025 will:

• Require DoW to provide electronic notices to beneficiaries at 12 months, 6 months, and 30 days before a TRICARE coverage change.
• Apply to all TRICARE transition requirements, including age-based transitions such as switching from TRICARE to TRICARE Young Adult or TRICARE for Life.
• Direct DoW to conduct a public awareness campaign and report annually to Congress on outreach effectiveness.