TRICARE Phone Numbers: Houston, TX Guide (2026)

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## Quick answer If you are a TRICARE beneficiary in Houston, Texas, your primary point of contact depends on your specific plan and needs. Because Houston is in the **TRICARE East Region**, the regional contractor is **Humana Military (1-800-444-5445)**. For pharmacy needs, contact **Express Scripts (1-877-363-1303)**, and for local military appointments, contact the **San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) central line at 1-210-916-4141** or use the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal.

In detail

Houston falls under the **TRICARE East Region**, managed by Humana Military. While Houston does not have a major Military Treatment Facility (MTF) like a Large Hub hospital within the city limits, beneficiaries often utilize the TRICARE network of civilian providers or travel to Joint Base San Antonio for specialized care.

### Primary Regional Contacts (2026) * **Humana Military (East Region):** 1-800-444-5445 * *Direct support for: Enrollment, authorizations, claims, and finding a network provider in the Houston/Harris County area.* * **TRICARE For Life (TFL):** 1-866-773-0404 * *For retirees and those with Medicare Parts A and B.* * **Express Scripts (Pharmacy):** 1-877-363-1303 * *For mail-order prescriptions and local network pharmacy questions.* * **TRICARE Nurse Advice Line:** 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), Option 1 * *Available 24/7 for urgent clinical guidance.*

### Local Houston-Area Military Facilities Most Houston-based active duty families and retirees use the **60th Medical Group / outpatient clinics** or travel to nearby installations. Note that many services are outsourced to the civilian network in Houston.

### Regional Rates & Copays (2026) In 2026, TRICARE Select Group A retirees in Houston generally face a **$30 copay** for primary care visits at network providers. For TRICARE Prime, there are $0 out-of-pocket costs for active duty family members when seeing network providers with a referral. If you utilize the **Point of Service (POS)** option (seeing a provider without a referral), the deductible is **$300 for individuals** and **$600 for families** in 2026.

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Living near Ellington Field or throughout the Houston metro area using TRICARE Prime or Select. * **Retirees and their Families:** Living in Southeast Texas who rely on Humana Military for network provider access. * **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Members:** Traditional Drilling Reservists in the Houston area who pay monthly premiums for coverage. * **TRICARE For Life (TFL) Users:** Seniors in Houston who use Medicare as their primary insurance and TRICARE as the secondary payer.

Common scenarios

**Scenario 1: New to Houston (Active Duty Family)** An Army family moves to Sugar Land, TX. They enroll in TRICARE Prime. To find a local pediatrician, they call **Humana Military at 1-800-444-5445**. Because they are TRICARE Prime, their copay for the visit is **$0** (2026 rates), provided they have the proper referral from their Primary Care Manager.

**Scenario 2: TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Prescription** A Coast Guard Reservist in Galveston needs to refill a maintenance medication. They call **Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303** to set up home delivery. For a 90-day supply of a generic drug via mail-order, they pay **$16** (2026 rates).

**Scenario 3: Urgent Care on a Weekend** A retiree in Katy, TX, has a fever on Sunday night. Instead of going to an expensive ER, they call the **Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-874-2273**. The nurse provides a referral to a local urgent care clinic. Under TRICARE Select, the retiree pays a **$41 copay** (2026 Group A rate) for the urgent care visit.

## Related terms * **Humana Military:** The current contractor for the TRICARE East Region, which includes Texas. * **MTF (Military Treatment Facility):** A military-run clinic or hospital (e.g., San Antonio Military Medical Center). * **Network Provider:** A civilian doctor in Houston who has an agreement with Humana Military to treat TRICARE patients. * **PCM (Primary Care Manager):** The doctor designated to coordinate your care, required for Prime members. * **T-5 Contract:** The latest Department of Defense contract that governs TRICARE regional management as of 2025.

## Sources * TRICARE East Region - Humana Military: https://www.humanamilitary.com/ * TRICARE Official Contact List: https://www.tricare.mil/ContactUs/CallUs * TRICARE Pharmacy Program (Express Scripts): https://www.tricare.mil/Pharmacy * MHS GENESIS Patient Portal: https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil/