MCAS Yuma Branch Health Clinic: TRICARE Guide 2026
The Branch Health Clinic (BHC) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma provides primary care, dental, and preventive services to active duty Marines, Sailors, and their families stationed in Yuma, Arizona. While it is a military treatment facility (MTF), care for dependents and retirees is often coordinated with civilian networks through TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or affiliated with the Department of Defense. For official policy, visit TRICARE.mil.*
In detail
The MCAS Yuma Branch Health Clinic operates under the Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) command. It is a vital hub for military readiness in the Southwest, specifically serving the High Intensity Training Unit and the resident squadrons at the Air Station.
### Available Services As a branch clinic rather than a full-scale hospital, services are primarily outpatient-focused: * **Primary Care:** Family medicine and internal medicine for TRICARE Prime enrollees. * **Aviation Medicine:** Specialized flight physicals and readiness exams for pilots and aircrew. * **Dental:** Comprehensive dental care for active duty personnel (Family members typically use the TRICARE Dental Program through civilian providers). * **Pharmacy:** On-site prescriptions and refills. Managing medications can also be done via Express Scripts home delivery. * **Ancillary Services:** Basic laboratory work, radiology (X-ray), and physical therapy.
### Enrollment and Regional Management MCAS Yuma is located in the **TRICARE West Region**. As of January 1, 2025, the regional contractor is **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**. * **Active Duty:** Must enroll in TRICARE Prime and be assigned a Primary Care Manager (PCM) at the BHC. * **Family Members:** May enroll in TRICARE Prime (and see a PCM at the clinic if space is available) or TRICARE Select (to see civilian providers in the Yuma community).
### 2026 Pharmacy and Care Costs Active duty service members always have $0 out-of-pocket costs. For family members and retirees in 2026: * **MTF Pharmacy:** $0 for generic and brand-name medications filled at the BHC pharmacy. * **TRICARE Prime:** $0 copays for primary care visits at the clinic, provided you are enrolled there. * **TRICARE Select (Group A):** If a family member sees a civilian provider in Yuma, they may face a 2026 deductible (varies by rank) and a fixed copay for office visits (approx. $30–$40 for primary care, check TRICARE.mil for exact 2026 figures).
Who this applies to
* **Active Duty Marines and Sailors:** Required to receive primary care at the BHC for medical readiness and fit-for-duty determinations. * **Military Families in Yuma:** Eligible for TRICARE Prime or Select; care is available at the BHC on a space-available basis or through the TriWest network. * **Retirees:** While the clinic offers space-available pharmacy services, primary care for retirees in the Yuma area is typically handled by civilian providers via TRICARE Select or TRICARE For Life. * **Visiting Personnel:** Personnel on temporary duty (TAD/TDY) at MCAS Yuma for exercises (like WTI) can access acute care at the clinic.
Common scenarios
**Scenario 1: Active Duty Pharmacy Refill** Sgt. Smith needs a refill for a maintenance medication. He visits the BHC Yuma pharmacy. In 2026, his out-of-pocket cost is **$0**. If he had used the Express Scripts home delivery for a brand-name drug, he might pay a copay (approx. $16–$30 depending on the drug tier).
**Scenario 2: Dependent Care via TRICARE Select** A Marine’s spouse is enrolled in TRICARE Select because they prefer a civilian OB/GYN in town. For a 2026 specialist visit, the spouse meets their annual deductible first, then pays a negotiated cost-share (typically 20% of the allowed amount for Group A).
**Scenario 3: Emergency Care** An active duty Marine at MCAS Yuma sustains a severe injury after clinic hours. They go to the Yuma Regional Medical Center emergency room. Because it is an emergency, the care is covered, but the Marine must notify their PCM or the Nurse Advice Line within 24 hours to ensure the claim is processed correctly under TRICARE Prime.
Related terms
* **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** The current (2025/2026) West Region contractor responsible for the provider network in Arizona. * **PCM (Primary Care Manager):** The specific doctor or clinic responsible for your basic healthcare and referrals. * **MTF (Military Treatment Facility):** A clinic or hospital owned and operated by the Department of Defense, such as BHC Yuma. * **T-5 Contract:** The fifth generation of TRICARE contracts which transitioned the West region to TriWest. * **Express Scripts:** The national pharmacy benefit manager for all TRICARE regions.
Sources
* **TRICARE.mil - MCAS Yuma Clinic Page:** https://tricare.mil/mtf/mcasyuma * **Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD):** https://sandiego.tricare.mil/ * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** https://www.triwest.com/ * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** https://health.mil/