49th Medical Group Holloman AFB: TRICARE Guide

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## Quick answer The 49th Medical Group (49 MDG) at Holloman Air Force Base serves as the primary military treatment facility (MTF) for New Mexico's Otero County military community. It operates as an outpatient-only clinic providing primary care, flight medicine, and specialty services to Active Duty members, their families, and retirees. For emergency or inpatient care, patients are referred to civilian networks in Alamogordo or El Paso.

In detail

The 49th Medical Group is a "super-clinic" that focuses on medical readiness and outpatient care. Because Holloman AFB does not have an on-base hospital for surgeries or overnight stays, it relies heavily on the TRICARE West regional contractor, **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** (as of 2025/2026), to manage the network of local civilian providers.

### Primary Services available at 49 MDG * **Family Practice & Pediatrics:** Routine check-ups, immunizations, and acute care. * **Flight Medicine:** Specialized care for aircrew and those on flight status. * **Dental:** Priority is given to Active Duty members; limited services for others. * **Pharmacy:** Full-service pharmacy for new prescriptions and refills (Express Scripts handles mail-order). * **Mental Health:** Counseling and psychiatric services for Active Duty and dependents. * **Ancillary Services:** Laboratory and Basic Radiology (X-ray).

### Referral and Emergency Care Since 49 MDG lacks an Emergency Room, beneficiaries must use local civilian facilities for life-threatening issues. * **Local Emergency Care:** Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center in Alamogordo is the closest civilian partner. * **Referrals:** If you are on **TRICARE Prime**, your Primary Care Manager (PCM) at Holloman must submit a referral to TriWest for any specialty care not available on base.

### 2026 TRICARE Costs at Holloman AFB For 2026, costs depend on your plan and beneficiary group:

*Note: Retail pharmacy copays apply if you use a civilian pharmacy like Walgreens or CVS instead of the Holloman base pharmacy.*

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Service Members:** Required to enroll in TRICARE Prime and receive all primary care at the 49 MDG. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** May choose between TRICARE Prime (care at 49 MDG) or TRICARE Select (using civilian doctors in Alamogordo). * **Retirees & Families:** Eligible for space-available care at 49 MDG, though many transition to TRICARE Select to ensure consistent access to civilian providers. * **Guard and Reserve:** Members on active duty orders for more than 30 days are treated as Active Duty at the facility.

Common scenarios

### Scenario 1: Active Duty Routine Care A Staff Sergeant at Holloman experiences back pain. They book an appointment with their PCM at the 49 MDG. Since they are TRICARE Prime, there is **$0 out-of-pocket cost** for the visit, the X-ray performed on-base, and the muscle relaxants picked up at the Holloman pharmacy.

### Scenario 2: Dependent Specialty Referral A spouse enrolled in TRICARE Prime needs to see a dermatologist. The 49 MDG PCM issues a referral. Because 49 MDG does not have a staff dermatologist, TriWest authorizes a visit to a specialist in Alamogordo. For 2026, the ADFM pays **$0** because they followed the referral process.

### Scenario 3: Retiree Using TRICARE Select A retired Master Sergeant living in Alamogordo uses TRICARE Select. They choose to see a civilian doctor off-base instead of trying for space-available care at 49 MDG. They pay their annual deductible (e.g., $150–$300) and then a set copay (e.g., ~$35–$50 per 2026 rates) for each visit.

## Related terms * **PCM (Primary Care Manager):** Your main doctor at 49 MDG who coordinates all your healthcare. * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** The 2026 TRICARE West Region contractor responsible for the provider network in New Mexico. * **MTF (Military Treatment Facility):** An on-base clinic or hospital, such as the 49th Medical Group. * **Express Scripts:** The company that manages TRICARE’s pharmacy benefits and home delivery. * **Space-Available Care:** Medical care provided to non-Active Duty patients only when the clinic has open slots.

## Sources * **Holloman AFB Official Site:** [holloman.af.mil](https://www.holloman.af.mil/) * **TRICARE West (TriWest):** [triwest.com](https://www.triwest.com) * **TRICARE MTF Locator:** [tricare.mil/mtf/holloman](https://tricare.mil/mtf/holloman) * **Express Scripts Pharmacy:** [militaryrx.express-scripts.com](https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com)