Most military retirees enrolled in TRICARE Prime saw a sharp increase in annual enrollment fees on Monday.

The majority under age 65 will see a 17 percent premium jump in the health care coverage plan while rates will go up only 3.6 percent for some.

For those enrolled in TRICARE Prime before Oct. 1, 2011, the individual annual rate will increase from $230 to $269.28 and from $460 to $538.56 for families. Those who enrolled on or after Oct. 1, 2011, will see an individual increase from $260 to $269.28 and from $520 to $538.56 for families.

The one-time 17 percent increase came about after Congress passed a one-year freeze on enrollment fees for TRICARE Prime participants already in the program prior to Oct. 1, 2011. The 3.6 percent increase is equal to the 2012 cost-of-living increase in military retired pay.

Active duty service members and their families are exempt from annual enrollment fees. Survivors of military members who died on active duty and medically retired service members and their families are not subject to annual enrollment fee increases.

The increases are only the second since the program began in 1995.