TRICARE Practice Info Guide: 2026 TriWest Directory Tips
*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense. For official policy, visit TRICARE.mil.*
## Quick answer "Practice Info.Htm" is the specific file path suffix used by the TRICARE West Region contractor, **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**, to provide providers and beneficiaries with essential office details. It links to a dynamic profile containing a provider’s location, contact info, specialty, and whether they are currently accepting new TRICARE Prime or Select patients.
## In detail When navigating the TRICARE provider directories, "Practice Info.Htm" is the technical landing page for individual medical practices. Since January 1, 2025, TriWest Healthcare Alliance has managed the West Region (replacing Health Net), and their digital directory uses these pages to communicate real-time network status.
### Content found on a Practice Info page When you click a provider's link in the TriWest portal, the practice info page confirms: * **Provider Demographics:** Legal name, NPI (National Provider Identifier), and gender. * **Location Data:** Physical address, phone number, and distance from your zip code. * **Network Status:** Whether the provider is a "Network" or "Non-Network" provider. * **Capacity:** A critical "Yes/No" indicator for whether they are accepting new patients. * **Specialty:** Primary care vs. specialty care (e.g., Cardiology, OB/GYN).
### Why this matters for 2026 Costs If a Practice Info page lists a provider as **Non-Network**, your out-of-pocket costs will be significantly higher:
| Feature | TRICARE Prime (Network) | TRICARE Select (Network) | TRICARE Select (Non-Network) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **PCP Visit (Group A)** | $0 (if referred) | ~$22-$38 (2026 rates) | 20% of allowable charge | | **Specialist Visit** | $0 (if referred) | ~$35-$50 (2026 rates) | 25% of allowable charge | | **Balance Billing** | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Up to 15% above allowed amt |
*Note: Group A retirees and active duty family members have different flat fees. Always verify the current Tier on the specific practice info page.*
### Technical Use in Referrals For TRICARE Prime beneficiaries, the Primary Care Manager (PCM) uses the data behind this page to generate referrals. If the Practice Info page is outdated (e.g., the doctor moved), the referral may be rejected, potentially leading to "Point of Service" charges, which carry a **$300 deductible** for 2026.
## Who this applies to * **TRICARE West Beneficiaries:** Specifically those in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas (western), Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. * **TRICARE Prime Members:** Who must ensure their assigned PCM has an "Accepting New Patients" status on this page. * **TRICARE Select Members:** Who use the directory to find network providers to minimize their cost-shares. * **Medical Providers:** Who must update their CAQH profile or TriWest portal to ensure their Practice Info page reflects correct data.
Common scenarios
### 1. Confirming Network Status Sarah is a TRICARE Select spouse in San Diego. She finds a specialist via the TriWest directory. The `practice_info.htm` page confirms the doctor is "In-Network." Because the doctor is network-enrolled, Sarah pays a fixed copay (approx. $50 in 2026) rather than 25% of the total bill.
### 2. Changing PCMs An Active Duty Family Member in Colorado wants to switch doctors. They check the Practice Info page for a local clinic. If the page says "Accepting New Patients: No," the beneficiary cannot switch to that doctor through the TRICARE portal.
### 3. Avoiding Point of Service (POS) Charges Mark has TRICARE Prime. He sees a doctor listed as "Non-Network" on the info page without a referral. Because he ignored the network status on the practice info page, he is charged the POS rate for 2026: a $300 individual deductible and a 50% cost-share.
## Related terms * **Network Provider:** A doctor who has a contract with TriWest or Humana to provide care at negotiated rates. * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** The current (2026) contractor for the TRICARE West Region. * **PCM (Primary Care Manager):** The provider responsible for coordinating a Prime member's care. * **Cost-Share:** The percentage of the total cost a Select beneficiary pays for covered services. * **Directory Feed:** The electronic data transmission that updates the practice info pages based on provider credentials.
## Sources * **TRICARE West Directory (TriWest):** https://www.triwest.com/ * **TRICARE.mil Provider Types:** https://tricare.mil/Providers/Network * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** https://health.mil/ * **TRICARE Cost Guide:** https://tricare.mil/costs