---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 1097d"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "1097d"
heading: "TRICARE program: notice of change to benefits"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/1097d"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — General Military Law"
  - "Part II — Personnel"
  - "Chapter 55 — Medical and Dental Care"
---

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

- (a) **Provision of Notice.—**
  - (1) If the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) makes a significant change to any benefits provided by the [TRICARE program](/usc/10/1072.md?p=7) to [covered beneficiaries](/usc/10/1072.md?p=5), the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) shall provide individuals described in [paragraph (2)](#a-2) with notice explaining such changes.
  - (2) The individuals described by this paragraph are [covered beneficiaries](/usc/10/1072.md?p=5) participating in the [TRICARE program](/usc/10/1072.md?p=7) who may be affected by a significant change covered by a notification under [paragraph (1)](#a-1).
  - (3) The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) shall provide notice under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) through electronic means.
- (b) **Timing of Notice.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) shall provide notice under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) of subsection (a) by the earlier of the following dates:
  - (1) The date that the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) determines would afford individuals described in [paragraph (2)](#b-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](/usc/10/1072.md?p=7) or the benefits provided under the [TRICARE program](/usc/10/1072.md?p=7) (not including the addition of new services or benefits); or
  - (2) in beneficiary cost-share [rates](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-9) of more than 20 percent.

## Source credit

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