Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2025
The Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2025 would amend title 10 to allow a new category of veterans, called “covered veteran beneficiaries,” to enroll in TRICARE Select during the TRICARE open enrollment period. These are veterans with service-connected disabilities who are eligible to enroll in VA health care, and who would enroll in TRICARE only under the new provisions created by this bill (1075(h) or as affected by 1086(d)). The bill sets cost-sharing rules for these veterans, ensures they are not able to enroll dependents purely because the veteran is enrolling, and extends TRICARE-related enrollment provisions to TRICARE for Life as applicable to this group. It also requires a paid memorandum of understanding so the Department of Veterans Affairs reimburses the Department of Defense for costs of enrolling these veterans. The act includes implementation timelines, regulatory development, a phased enrollment plan, quarterly and annual reporting to Congress, and a prohibition against concurrent VA enrollment while enrolled in TRICARE for these veterans. Overall, the bill is designed to give certain veterans a choice between VA care and TRICARE coverage, while coordinating costs and administration between VA and DoD.
Key Points
- 1New beneficiary category and eligibility: Establishes “covered veteran beneficiaries” who are veterans with service-connected disabilities and who are eligible to enroll in the VA health system; these veterans may enroll in TRICARE Select during the TRICARE open enrollment period, subject to implementation rules.
- 2Cost-sharing and enrollment rules: For covered veteran beneficiaries, TRICARE Select cost-sharing is calculated under the new cost-sharing framework in the bill (regardless of when the veteran originally enlisted or was appointed). A dependent cannot enroll in TRICARE solely because the covered veteran enrolls.
- 3TRICARE for Life and enrollment: The statute amends TRICARE for Life provisions so that enrollment can occur in connection with 1075(h) or 1086(d), effectively expanding eligibility pathways for the covered veteran beneficiaries.
- 4VA enrollment prohibition and definitions: A covered veteran beneficiary may not be concurrently enrolled in VA’s system of patient enrollment if enrolled in TRICARE; VA may not furnish care to the veteran under VA programs while the veteran is enrolled in TRICARE. The bill defines “covered veteran beneficiary” and “TRICARE program” consistently with the amended language.
- 5Implementation, oversight, and reporting: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense must enter a memorandum of understanding to cover reimbursement for enrolling covered veterans in TRICARE; the changes take effect one year after enactment, with regulations to be issued during the 12-month lead time and a phased enrollment period. The VA Center for Innovation for Care and Payment will oversee implementation. There are quarterly reports to Congress for two years, followed by annual reports on covered veteran beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE.