TRICARE Paperless Guide: Digital EOBs & Notifications

*TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense. For official policy, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Quick answer "Going paperless" with TRICARE means opting into digital delivery for Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements, enrollment notices, and billing via your regional contractor’s portal. By switching to electronic communications, beneficiaries can access their health records faster, reduce mail clutter, and ensure sensitive medical billing information remains secure behind a password-protected login.

## In detail While TRICARE still sends some physical mail by default, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) has moved toward a "digital first" approach for the 2026 plan year. Transitioning to paperless involves three primary portals depending on your needs.

### 1. Regional Contractor Portals Your regional contractor handles your medical claims and enrollment notifications. To stop receiving paper EOBs and letters, you must create an account on their specific secure site: * **TRICARE East (Humana Military):** Log in to the Humana Military portal to toggle "Electronic Correspondence." * **TRICARE West (TriWest Healthcare Alliance):** Since TriWest took over the West region in 2025, beneficiaries must use the TriWest self-service portal to opt-out of paper mailings. * **TRICARE Overseas (International SOS):** Managed via the TOP portal for those stationed OCONUS.

### 2. Pharmacy Paperless (Express Scripts) The pharmacy benefit is managed separately. By going paperless with **Express Scripts**, you receive email alerts when a prescription is processed, shipped, or needs a refill. In 2026, most specialists recommend the Express Scripts mobile app as the fastest way to track "Home Delivery" medications without waiting for a paper notice.

### 3. milConnect and DEERS The **milConnect** website is the central hub for enrollment actions. When you change plans (e.g., moving from TRICARE Select to TRICARE Prime), you can view your enrollment cards and correspondence digitally here. * **Note:** Physical "wallet cards" are largely a thing of the past. Providers verify eligibility using your Military ID card and the DEERS database.

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** Managed primarily through digital records in the MHS GENESIS system; usually paperless by default for military clinic care. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Benefits from faster notification of specialist referrals (often appearing online 3–5 days before a letter arrives by mail). * **Retirees and Families:** Crucial for tracking "Other Health Insurance" (OHI) and monitoring 2026 deductible updates without waiting for quarterly paper summaries. * **TRICARE For Life (TFL) Users:** While Medicare remains the primary payer, TFL EOBs can be viewed digitally via the TRICARE4u.com portal.

Common scenarios

### The Faster Referral Sarah is an ADFM in San Diego (TRICARE West). Her doctor submits a referral for a dermatologist. Instead of waiting 10 days for a letter in the mail, Sarah gets an email alert from **TriWest** the next day. She logs in, sees her authorization number, and schedules her appointment immediately.

### The Pharmacy Tracker John takes a maintenance medication that costs $16 for a 90-day supply (2026 rates for generic Home Delivery). By opting into paperless with **Express Scripts**, he receives a text message the moment his medication ships, preventing his package from sitting in a hot mailbox for days.

### The Annual Deductible Check A retiree family on TRICARE Select wants to see how close they are to their 2026 Catastrophic Cap. Instead of filing away paper EOBs, they log into **Humana Military** (East Region) and download a single PDF summary of all claims for the year to date.

## Related terms * **EOB (Explanation of Benefits):** A statement sent after a medical service detailing what TRICARE paid and what the patient owes. * **DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System):** The master database that confirms your eligibility for TRICARE. * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum out-of-pocket amount you pay for covered services each calendar year. * **T-5 Contract:** The 2025/2026 regional contract structure that established TriWest as the West region manager. * **MHS GENESIS:** The updated electronic health record system used at military hospitals and clinics.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil Correspondence:** https://www.tricare.mil/correspondence * **Humana Military (East):** https://www.humanamilitary.com/ * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West):** https://www.triwest.com/ * **Express Scripts TRICARE Pharmacy:** https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/