An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | Aug. 30, 2024

Know How TRICARE Regions Are Changing in 2025

By TRICARE Communications

Jan. 1, 2025, marks the start of health care delivery under TRICARE’s new regional contracts. There will be changes to the TRICARE regions in the United States as part of the new contracts. While there will still be two TRICARE regions, six states currently in the East Region (Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin) will move to the West Region.

If you’re located in one of the six states moving to the West Region, this article will help you understand what that will mean for you. If you live in the current West Region, you’ll need to take the actions discussed in this article, too. Your TRICARE contractor is also changing. If you don’t live in one of these states, keep an eye out for upcoming articles about how the transition may impact you.

“These changes will help balance the TRICARE population between the two regions and improve the quality of service for all beneficiaries,” said Laura D’Antin, team lead, Customer Support, TRICARE Health Plan, Education and Outreach Branch at the Defense Health Agency.

States switching regions

Six states are moving from the East Region to the West Region:

  • Arkansas
  • Illinois
  • Louisiana 
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Wisconsin

If you live in one of these six states, your TRICARE regional contractor will switch from Humana Military to TriWest Healthcare Alliance on Jan. 1, 2025. This change will affect about 1.1 million eligible beneficiaries.

What this means for you

If your state is switching regions, Humana Military will continue as your TRICARE contractor until Dec. 31, 2024. Before then, you should check your DEERS account to confirm that all your information is up to date.

Starting in early November 2024, you should also:

  • Create an account on the TriWest patient portal.
  • Update your payment information with TriWest. This will help make sure you can make your payments to TriWest (if applicable) starting Jan. 1, 2025. (Note: If you pay by allotment, you don’t need to do this. Allotment payments will transfer automatically.)
  • Search for providers in the new TriWest provider network directory. You’ll find the directory on the patient portal.

Note that these features won’t be available on the TriWest website until Nov. 2, 2024.

You should also plan to take any actions for TRICARE Open Season through TriWest.

Keeping your care on track

If you have ongoing care, don’t worry. If you live in these six states, referrals or authorizations from Humana Military that began before Dec. 31, 2024, will be valid through the referral expiration date, up to June 30, 2025. Additionally, TriWest will work with Humana Military to ensure you get care without disruption for the following conditions:

  • Cancer
  • Pregnancy
  • Neurological disorders
  • Mental health
  • Kidney disease
  • Disease management/case management services

The new contractors will assist you in this transition by allowing for efficient referral transfers between regions. They’ll provide you the tools to find TRICARE-authorized providers in your new network.

Keeping your provider

Most of the current provider network in the six states will likely stay the same. TriWest and Humana Military are working to maintain the existing network. However, each provider must decide whether to continue with TRICARE.

Next steps

You’ll get more updates later this year. This will include website links and phone numbers to contact your regional contractor. For now, sign up for email updates and visit www.tricare.mil/changes to stay informed.

Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
 
Service member presses down on another service member's arm while lying on a medical table.

National Guard or Reserve? Learn What To Do if Y...

News
Sep. 25, 2025

Are you a member of the National Guard or Reserve? If so, it’s important to know how TRICARE covers you if you...
Read More
DHA logo and Unlock Your Health logo; Medical professional in scrubs shows man in wheelchair papers on a clipboard.

Learn How TRICARE Can Help You Manage Chronic He...

News
Sep. 23, 2025

Living with a chronic health condition can feel hard. But you don’t have to do it alone. TRICARE offers...
Read More
Woman in a dentist's chair holds a mirror and looks at her teeth.

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

News
Sep. 19, 2025

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Whether you crack a tooth or have severe mouth pain,...
Read More
Young boy smiles and hugs mother

Unlock Your Health: How TRICARE Can Support Your...

News
Sep. 18, 2025

Childhood and teen years can be full of ups and downs. It’s normal for kids to be sad or irritable or to have...
Read More
Dental care provider wearing gloves performs dental procedure on patient in dental chair.

Opioids, Pain Management, and Your Oral Health

News
Sep. 17, 2025

If you’ve had certain dental procedures, like wisdom teeth removal, a root canal, or oral surgery, some...
Read More
Woman wearing dental bib opens her mouth as a dentist uses dental equipment.

The Power of Prevention: Using the TRICARE Denta...

News
Sep. 16, 2025

When it comes to your oral health, a little prevention goes a long way. That’s why the TRICARE Dental Program...
Read More
Unlock Your Health graphic, DHA logo, elderly woman and medical care worker sit together on a couch

Unlock Your Health With TRICARE Home Health Care...

News
Sep. 16, 2025

Is leaving home for care a challenge? TRICARE covers solutions that make it easier to get the care—and...
Read More
Service member smiles with arms crossed in an office.

Explore Available Counseling and Mental Health S...

News
Sep. 10, 2025

Are you a service member, family member, or survivor? Your TRICARE benefit covers a variety of mental health...
Read More

Sept. 25, 2025

National Guard or Reserve? Learn What To Do if You Need Line of Duty Care

Are you a member of the National Guard or Reserve? If so, it’s important to know how TRICARE covers you if you become sick or are injured while activated for 30 days or less. This article explores how, where, and under what circumstances National Guard and Reserve members can get line of duty care.

Sept. 23, 2025

Learn How TRICARE Can Help You Manage Chronic Health Conditions

Living with a chronic health condition can feel hard. But you don’t have to do it alone. TRICARE offers programs and coverage to help you live better with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and depression.

Sept. 19, 2025

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Whether you crack a tooth or have severe mouth pain, knowing what to do can save your smile and reduce damage.

Sept. 18, 2025

Unlock Your Health: How TRICARE Can Support Your Child’s Mental Health

Childhood and teen years can be full of ups and downs. It’s normal for kids to be sad or irritable or to have trouble paying attention or interacting with others at times. But sometimes, these feelings and behaviors are signs that your child could need mental health care. Learn how TRICARE can support your child’s mental health and find tips and resources for supporting your child’s well-being.

Sept. 17, 2025

Opioids, Pain Management, and Your Oral Health

If you’ve had certain dental procedures, like wisdom teeth removal, a root canal, or oral surgery, some dentists may prescribe an opioid painkiller to help manage your pain. While your comfort is a priority, it’s important to also understand any potential negative side effects posed by opioids and the importance of using opioids responsibly.

Sept. 16, 2025

The Power of Prevention: Using the TRICARE Dental Program Benefit To Save You Money

When it comes to your oral health, a little prevention goes a long way. That’s why the TRICARE Dental Program covers two routine dental cleanings and examinations each year.

Sept. 16, 2025

Unlock Your Health With TRICARE Home Health Care and Pharmacy Home Delivery

Is leaving home for care a challenge? TRICARE covers solutions that make it easier to get the care—and drugs—you may need. Your TRICARE plan may cover certain in-home health services and pharmacy home delivery options. This gives you flexibility and convenience in your care.

Sept. 10, 2025

Explore Available Counseling and Mental Health Services

Are you a service member, family member, or survivor? Your TRICARE benefit covers a variety of mental health services. But did you know there are other counseling services available to you? This article explores what services you can access if you need support.

Sept. 9, 2025

Live in the West Region? Learn if You Need To Take Action on Your Referrals Before Oct. 1

Are you a TRICARE Prime beneficiary living in the West Region? Are you currently using a referral to get specialty care? If you used the West Region referral approval waiver to see a specialist between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025 and need to continue seeing that specialist, you’ll need to get a new referral to a network specialist before Oct. 1, 2025. If you’re still using a valid referral issued by a previous contractor before Jan. 1, 2025, you also need to get a new referral for any care received starting Oct. 1.

Sept. 8, 2025

Q&A: TRICARE For Life Coverage of Weight Loss Medications

The Defense Health Agency recently announced it will implement existing regulatory controls regarding TRICARE coverage of weight loss medications, including Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) drugs, to ensure prescription processing aligns with federal coverage requirements.