Humana Military: TRICARE East Region Guide (2026)

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

## Quick answer Humana Military is the private healthcare contractor responsible for managing the **TRICARE East Region**. If you live in one of the 32 eastern states, Humana Military is the company that processes your claims, manages your provider network, and handles your customer service and enrollment.

In detail

Since the implementation of the T-5 regional contracts, Humana Military has maintained its role as the East Region contractor, serving millions of active-duty service members, retirees, and their families. Their primary responsibility is to bridge the gap between military treatment facilities (MTFs) and the civilian "purchased care" network.

### Geographic Coverage The East Region managed by Humana Military covers: 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 (excluding the El Paso area), Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

### Key Responsibilities * **Provider Network:** Maintaining a directory of "TRICARE-authorized" doctors, specialists, and hospitals. * **Claims Processing:** Paying civilian providers for services rendered to TRICARE beneficiaries. * **Referrals and Authorizations:** Reviewing requests from Primary Care Managers (PCMs) to ensure specialty care is medically necessary. * **Customer Service:** Operating call centers and online portals for enrollment and billing inquiries.

### Beneficiary Costs and Plan Management Humana Military manages several plan types. Below are the 2026 rates for Group A beneficiaries (initial enlistment before 2018):

*Note: Active-duty service members always have $0 out-of-pocket costs for covered medical care.*

### The Self-Service Portal Beneficiaries in the East Region use the Humana Military website to: 1. Check claim status. 2. Download Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements. 3. Change a Primary Care Manager (PCM). 4. Pay monthly premiums for Select or Reserve plans.

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Families in the East:** You will interact with Humana Military for all civilian specialist referrals and claims. * **Retirees in the East:** You must pay your annual enrollment fees directly to Humana Military to maintain Prime or Select coverage. * **National Guard and Reserve:** Members living in the East Region who enroll in TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) pay their monthly premiums to Humana Military. * **Providers:** Doctors and hospitals in the 32 eastern states must contract with Humana Military to be considered "In-Network."

Common scenarios

**Scenario 1: Specialist Referral** An Active Duty family member in Georgia (East Region) is enrolled in TRICARE Prime. Their doctor at Fort Moore refers them to a civilian dermatologist. Humana Military reviews the referral, issues an authorization number, and the family member pays **$0** for the visit because they followed the referral process.

**Scenario 2: Retiree Copayments** A retired Navy Commander living in Virginia is enrolled in TRICARE Select. He visits a network specialist for a consultation in 2026. Because he is in the East Region, the doctor bills Humana Military. The retiree pays a **$38 network copayment** (2026 rate for Group A) at the time of the visit.

**Scenario 3: Moving Regions** A Soldier moves from North Carolina (Humana Military/East) to California (TriWest/West). They must contact TriWest to transfer their enrollment; Humana Military will stop managing their claims as of the date the move is processed in DEERS.

## Related terms * **T-5 Contract:** The fifth generation of TRICARE contracts which went into effect in 2025, defining the current East/West regional split. * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** The contractor responsible for the TRICARE West Region (Humana's counterpart). * **PCM (Primary Care Manager):** The doctor assigned or chosen through Humana Military to coordinate a beneficiary's care. * **DEERS:** The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System; the database Humana Military uses to verify you are eligible for benefits. * **Authorization:** Official approval from Humana Military required before receiving certain types of medical specialty care.

## Sources * [TRICARE.mil - East Region](https://www.tricare.mil/East) * [HumanaMilitary.com Official Site](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * [Defense Health Agency - T-5 Contract Awards](https://health.mil/About-MHS/OASDHA/Defense-Health-Agency/Operations/Business-Operations/Managed-Care-Support-Contracts)