TRICARE East Region: Humana Military Guide 2026 | TRICARE.com

The **TRICARE East Region** is one of two primary health care regions in the United States, managed by the regional contractor **Humana Military**. Covering 32 states plus Washington D.C., Humana Military is responsible for coordinating your provider network, processing medical claims, and managing authorizations for the millions of service members and families living in the eastern half of the country.

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense or the official TRICARE program. For official policies, visit TRICARE.mil.*

In detail

The East Region is massive, spanning from Maine to Florida and as far west as parts of Texas and Arkansas. As the regional contractor, Humana Military does not "provide" the healthcare itself (that is done by Military Treatment Facilities and civilian doctors); rather, it acts as the administrative backbone of the benefit.

### States in the East Region As of 2026, the East Region includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa (Rock Island area), Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri (St. Louis area), New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (eastern portion), Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

### Humana Military’s Responsibilities * **Provider Network:** Humana maintains the "Network" of civilian doctors, specialists, and hospitals that accept TRICARE Prime and Select. * **Referrals and Authorizations:** If you are on TRICARE Prime, Humana Military reviews and approves your referrals to see civilian specialists. * **Claims Processing:** They handle the billing between your doctor and the government. * **Customer Service:** They manage the beneficiary portal where you can check your deductible status and view Explanations of Benefits (EOBs).

### 2026 Cost Shares and Fees (Selected) Costs in the East Region depend on your "Group" status (Group A joined before Jan 1, 2018; Group B joined after). Below are sample 2026 rates for Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs) and Retirees:

| Plan Type | Category | Annual Enrollment Fee (2026) | Primary Care Copay (Network) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | ADFM | $0 | $0 | | **TRICARE Prime** | Retiree (Group A) | ~$390 Individual / ~$780 Family | ~$27 | | **TRICARE Select** | ADFM (Group B) | $0 | ~$32 | | **TRICARE Select** | Retiree (Group A) | ~$195 Individual / ~$391 Family | ~$38 |

*Note: All dollar amounts are based on 2026 projections; check the Humana Military portal for your specific "Catastrophic Cap" status.*

Who this applies to

* **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** Stationed in the East Region. They must use Humana Military for all civilian care authorizations. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Living in the East; they choose between Prime (managed care) and Select (PPO-style). * **Retirees and their Families:** Under age 65 living in the East. They must pay their enrollment fees directly to Humana Military. * **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Members:** Reservists in the eastern states who pay monthly premiums to maintain coverage.

Common scenarios

### Scenario 1: The Referral Process Major Miller is an Active Duty soldier in Georgia (East Region). He develops a skin condition. He visits his Primary Care Manager (PCM) at the base clinic. The PCM decides he needs a specialist. The request is sent to **Humana Military**, which approves a dermatologist in the local Savannah network. Major Miller checks his Humana Military mobile app to download the authorization letter before his appointment.

### Scenario 2: The Select Plan Copay Sarah is a Navy spouse living in Virginia using **TRICARE Select**. In 2026, she takes her daughter to a network pediatrician for a sick visit. Because she is in the East Region, the doctor bills Humana Military. Sarah pays a 2026 copay of roughly $32 at the office, and Humana pays the remainder of the negotiated rate to the doctor.

### Scenario 3: Moving from West to East A family moves from San Diego (West Region - TriWest) to Fort Bragg, NC (East Region - Humana Military). They must proactively contact Humana Military or visit milConnect to transfer their enrollment to the East Region to ensure their medical claims aren't denied at their new location.

Related terms

* **Regional Contractor:** A private company (like Humana) contracted by the DoD to manage TRICARE benefits. * **T-5 Contract:** The latest generation of TRICARE contracts that went into full effect in 2025. * **Network Provider:** A doctor who has a formal agreement with Humana Military to provide care at discounted rates. * **PCM (Primary Care Manager):** Your main doctor who coordinates your care; in the East, this is managed through Humana's provider directory. * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum amount you will pay out-of-pocket for covered services each calendar year.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil East Region:** https://www.tricare.mil/About/Regions/East * **Humana Military Official Site:** https://www.humanamilitary.com/ * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** https://health.mil/