Changes
New TRICARE contracts (T-5) started on Jan. 1, 2025. This change only affects those living in the United States.
Do you live in the West Region? Check out TRICARE West Region Transition to learn more about important dates during this transition.
General Questions
The Defense Health Agency awarded two new contracts to manage the TRICARE benefit for the East and West Regions, as shown on the map.
- Humana Military remains the regional contractor for the East Region.
- Six states formerly in the East Region moved to the West Region.
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance replaced Health Net Federal Services, LLC as the regional contractor for the West Region.
On Jan. 1, 2025, six states that were in the East Region moved to the West Region. These states are:
- Arkansas
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Wisconsin
Yes. If you currently pay your enrollment fees or premiums by bank electronic funds transfer or recurring credit or debit card payments, you need to pay your fees or premiums to TriWest now.
The Defense Health Agency has extended the payment deadline. If you’re enrolled in any of the following plans, you now have until Friday, Feb. 28 to provide your payment information to TriWest.
If you don’t act before this date, you’ll be disenrolled, retroactive to Jan. 1.
To update your EFT, credit card, or debit card authorization, visit the TRICARE West Region page to find links to the following payment options:
- Option 1: Log in to the Self-Service, Secure Beneficiary Portal. You’ll need your primary email address on file with DEERS to sign up as a new user. Sign up for monthly, quarterly, or annual payments.
- Option 2: Call TriWest Customer Service at 888-TRIWEST (874-9378).
- Option 3: Download the Automatic Monthly TRICARE Payment Set Up Request form. Complete the form and mail it to the address on page 2. The form is for recurring monthly payments.
If you currently pay your enrollment fee or premium by military pay system allotment, you don’t need to do anything. Those transactions automatically transferred to TriWest.
There are some small areas within Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin that will be exceptions to these region changes. These areas are called “carveouts.” They’re “carved out” from the rest of their state because they border another state with a nearby military hospital or clinic and are part of its Prime Service Area, where you may be eligible to get services.
A PSA is a geographical region (40 miles around a military hospital or clinic) where TRICARE Prime is available. These carveouts are part of PSAs retained under the Base Realignment and Closure program from the 1990s. These PSAs cross borders into a neighboring state. To maintain the integrity of these PSAs, these carveouts will be managed by the regional contractor of the region where the PSA is centered.
Check your state below to see if you live in one of these areas, and see what steps you may need to take.
Continuity of Care
East Region: If you live in the East Region, your scheduled care won’t be affected.
West Region: If you live in the West Region, your referrals and pre-authorizations issued before Jan. 1, 2025, are valid. If the provider named on the referral is:
- A TRICARE network provider: You can keep seeing your provider until the referral expiration date or June 30, 2025, whichever comes first. TRICARE Prime copayments apply.
- No longer a TRICARE network provider: You can keep seeing your provider and pay TRICARE Prime copayments. Starting April 2, if the provider is still a non-network provider and isn’t named on the authorization, you’ll have to pay point-of-service fees. Make sure to get a new referral or authorization before the old one expires, or by July 1.
The DHA is working directly with TriWest to actively process all existing referrals.
If you live in the East Region, check the Humana Military provider directory. If you live in the new West Region, check the TriWest provider directory.
No. Your TRICARE copayments or cost-shares haven’t changed due to the new contracts. Your personal out-of-pocket costs depend on:
- Your TRICARE plan
- Whether your provider chooses to stay in the TRICARE network as a network, non-network/participating, or non-network/non-participating provider
Last Updated 2/13/2025