EFT Now for TRICARE: Provider Payment Guide
*TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or a government entity. For official policy and enrollment, visit TRICARE.mil.*
## Quick answer **EFT Now** is the online portal used by TRICARE West Region providers (managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance) to manage Electronic Funds Transfers for claims payments. It allows healthcare providers to receive direct deposits into their bank accounts rather than waiting for paper checks, significantly speeding up the reimbursement cycle for military health services.
## In detail Effective January 1, 2025, the TRICARE West Region transitioned to **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** under the T-5 contract. As part of this transition, providers must use the EFT Now portal to register for and manage electronic payments.
### Why EFT Now Matters For TRICARE beneficiaries, while you do not interact with EFT Now directly, its efficiency impacts your care. Providers who use EFT Now are paid faster, which encourages more doctors to remain in the TRICARE network. For providers, it eliminates "mail time" and the risk of lost or stolen checks.
### Key Features of EFT Now * **Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA):** Providers can view detailed explanations of how claims were processed (the 835 transaction) alongside the payment. * **Bank Account Management:** Securely update routing and account numbers for TRICARE West payments. * **Fast Enrollment:** Providers can often complete setup in one session, though verification usually takes 7–10 business days. * **Historical Access:** Search and download past payment records for tax and accounting reconciliation.
### Transition from Health Net (HNFS) Under the previous T-4 contract, West Region providers used a different system through Health Net Federal Services. With the T-5 contract active as of May 2026, all legacy payment systems for the West have been decommissioned. Providers must ensure they are registered specifically through the TriWest/EFT Now pipeline to avoid payment disruptions.
### East Region Comparison The East Region, managed by Humana Military, uses a different proprietary payment portal. EFT Now is strictly a **West Region** tool.
## Who this applies to * **Network Providers (West Region):** Doctors, hospitals, and specialists in the 26-state West Region (including Alaska and Hawaii) who want to receive direct deposit payments for TRICARE Prime or Select claims. * **Non-Network Providers (West Region):** Independent providers who treat TRICARE patients "out of network" but still wish to receive electronic payment rather than a check. * **Medical Billing Staff:** Professionals responsible for reconciling accounts receivable for military health claims. * **TRICARE Beneficiaries:** While you don't use the portal, your provider’s use of EFT Now ensures your claims are finalized and "closed out" more efficiently in the system.
Common scenarios
### Scenario 1: The New Network Specialist Dr. Aris, a cardiologist in San Diego, joins the TRICARE West network in 2026. To ensure he gets paid the $150–$300 per visit rate quickly, his office manager logs into the TriWest provider portal and navigates to **EFT Now**. They link the office's business checking account. Instead of waiting 14 days for a paper check, Dr. Aris receives payment within 3–5 days of claim approval.
### Scenario 2: Updating Bank Information A physical therapy clinic in Colorado changes banks mid-year in 2026. The billing coordinator must access EFT Now immediately to update the routing number. Because EFT Now is a real-time management tool, the next scheduled TRICARE West payment is successfully redirected to the new account, preventing a "returned check" scenario that could stall the clinic's cash flow.
## Related terms * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** The current (2026) regional contractor for the TRICARE West Region. * **T-5 Contract:** The fifth generation of TRICARE managed care contracts that began implementation in 2025. * **ERA (835):** The electronic version of a paper Explanation of Benefits (EOB) sent to providers. * **TIN (Tax Identification Number):** The unique identifier used by the IRS that providers must link to their EFT Now profile. * **Claims Processing:** The sequence of steps TRICARE contractors take to verify medical services and issue payment.
## Sources * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (TRICARE West):** https://www.triwest.com/ * **TRICARE.mil Beneficiary Portal:** https://www.tricare.mil/ * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** https://health.mil/