10 USC § 1097d - TRICARE program: notice of change to benefits

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t10/s1097d"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "10 USC § 1097d - TRICARE program: notice of change to benefits"
title_number: 10
title_name: "ARMED FORCES"
section_number: "1097d"
section_name: "TRICARE program: notice of change to benefits"
chapter_number: 55
chapter_name: "MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE"
part_number: "II"
part_name: "PERSONNEL"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title VII, § 711(a), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3413.)"
---


# § 1097d. TRICARE program: notice of change to benefits

**(a)** **Provision of Notice.—**

**(1)** If the Secretary makes a significant change to any benefits provided by the TRICARE program to covered beneficiaries, the Secretary shall provide individuals described in paragraph (2) with notice explaining such changes.

**(2)** The individuals described by this paragraph are covered beneficiaries participating in the TRICARE program who may be affected by a significant change covered by a notification under paragraph (1).

**(3)** The Secretary shall provide notice under paragraph (1) through electronic means.

**(b)** **Timing of Notice.—** The Secretary shall provide notice under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) by the earlier of the following dates:

**(1)** The date that the Secretary determines would afford individuals described in paragraph (2) of such subsection adequate time to understand the change covered by the notification.

**(2)** The date that is 90 days before the date on which the change covered by the notification becomes effective.

**(3)** The effective date of a significant change that is required by law.

**(c)** **Significant Change Defined.—** In this section, the term “significant change” means a systemwide change—

**(1)** in the structure of the TRICARE program or the benefits provided under the TRICARE program (not including the addition of new services or benefits); or

**(2)** in beneficiary cost-share rates of more than 20 percent.

---

**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title VII, § 711(a), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3413.)