TRICARE Phone Numbers Houston TX: Contact Guide 2026

*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 and the most current data, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Quick answer In Houston, Texas, your primary TRICARE contacts depend on your plan. As part of the **East Region**, most beneficiaries coordinate care through **Humana Military** at 1-800-444-5445. For those using military facilities, the primary hub is the **6th Medical Group - MacDill AFB (Houston Detachment)** or the **Joint Reserve Base (JRB) Fort Worth** network, though most local care is delivered through civilian providers in the TRICARE Prime or Select networks.

In detail

Houston is located within the TRICARE East Region. Following the 2025 "T-5" contract transition, Humana Military remains the managed care support contractor for this area. Because there is no large-scale military treatment facility (MTF) with an inpatient hospital directly in the Houston city limits, most residents utilize the civilian network or the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (for eligible dual-users).

Essential Phone Numbers for Houston, TX

### Regional Healthcare Support * **Humana Military:** This is your "home base" for 2026. You call them to switch between TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select, check the status of a referral to a Houston specialist (like those in the Texas Medical Center), or dispute a claim. * **TRICARE Overseas:** If you are a Houston-based beneficiary traveling abroad, contact International SOS at +1-215-942-8393.

### Local Military Medical Presence While Houston lacks a massive "Fort," it has significant Guard and Reserve presence. * **Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base:** Contact the medical unit for readiness and deployment-related health issues at 281-929-2122. * **TRICARE Prime Remote:** Many Houston residents qualify for Prime Remote if they live and work more than 50 miles (or one hour's drive) from a military hospital.

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Families:** Residents near Ellington Field or recruiters in the Houston Metro area using TRICARE Prime or Select. * **National Guard & Reserve:** Members of the Texas Army/Air National Guard utilizing TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS). * **Retirees:** Those under age 65 using TRICARE Select or those over 65 using TRICARE For Life (TFL) to supplement Medicare. * **Young Adults:** Houston-based dependents (ages 21-26) enrolled in TRICARE Young Adult (TYA).

Common scenarios

### Scenario 1: Specialist Referral in the Texas Medical Center A TRICARE Prime dependent in Katy, TX, needs to see an oncologist at MD Anderson. They must first contact their Primary Care Manager (PCM). If the PCM is a civilian, the referral is sent to **Humana Military (1-800-444-5445)** for authorization. In 2026, TRICARE Prime point-of-service charges apply if the patient sees a specialist without this authorization.

### Scenario 2: TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Enrollment A member of the Coast Guard Reserve based in Galveston lives in Houston and wants to enroll in TRS. They log into the Beneficiary Web Enrollment (BWE) portal or call **Humana Military** to set up their 2026 monthly premiums (typically around $50-$60 for individuals or $250-$270 for families—*verify current 2026 rates at TRICARE.mil*).

### Scenario 3: Prescription Refills A retiree in The Woodlands needs to refill a maintenance medication. Instead of calling a local pharmacy, they call **Express Scripts (1-877-363-1303)** to set up home delivery, which offers lower copays for a 90-day supply compared to retail pharmacies in 2026.

## Related terms * **Network Provider:** A doctor or hospital in Houston that has a contract with Humana Military to provide care at negotiated rates. * **PCM (Primary Care Manager):** The "gatekeeper" doctor who coordinates care for TRICARE Prime enrollees. * **Catchment Area:** Historically, the 40-mile radius around a military hospital; in Houston, this primarily affects how Prime Remote is determined. * **Allowable Charge:** The maximum amount TRICARE will pay for a specific medical service in the Houston market. * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum out-of-pocket amount a family pays for covered services in a calendar year.

## Sources * TRICARE East Regional Portal: [HumanaMilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com) * Official TRICARE Contact List: [TRICARE.mil/ContactUs](https://www.tricare.mil/ContactUs) * Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS): [milConnect](https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/) * Pharmacy Benefit Management: [Express-Scripts.com](https://www.express-scripts.com/tricare)