TRICARE Venice Beach: West Region Guide & 2026 Costs

*Disclaimer: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or a government agency. For official policy and the most current data, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Quick answer If you are seeking medical care near Venice Beach, California, you are in the TRICARE West Region, managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Beneficiaries can access care through nearby Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) like the Los Angeles Air Force Base Clinic or via a robust network of civilian providers in the Santa Monica and Venice area.

In detail

Venice Beach is located in Los Angeles County, a high-density area for TRICARE beneficiaries due to its proximity to several military installations and a large retiree population. Under the T-5 contract that began in 2025, TriWest Healthcare Alliance serves as the regional contractor for this area.

### Local Healthcare Options While there is no hospital directly on the Venice Boardwalk, several high-quality options exist within a few miles:

* **Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs):** The closest primary MTF is the **61st Medical Squadron at Los Angeles Air Force Base (LAAFB)** in El Segundo. It provides primary care, pediatrics, and pharmacy services. * **Civilian Network Providers:** For those on TRICARE Prime (with a referral) or TRICARE Select, major medical centers nearby include **UCLA Medical Center (Santa Monica)** and **Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital**. * **Urgent Care:** There are numerous TRICARE-authorized urgent care centers in Venice and Mar Vista. Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) need a referral for urgent care, but most other beneficiaries can visit a network urgent care center without one.

### TRICARE Plans and 2026 Costs Costs for care in the Venice/LA area depend on your beneficiary group (Group A or B) and your specific plan.

### Pharmacy Services Venice residents have three ways to fill prescriptions: 1. **MTF Pharmacy:** LAAFB Clinic (No cost). 2. **TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery:** Managed by Express Scripts (Lowest cost for maintenance drugs). 3. **Retail Network Pharmacies:** CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid locations in Venice/Santa Monica are generally in-network. For 2026, generic retail copays average around $18 for a 30-day supply.

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Families:** Stationed at LAAFB or on recruiting/ROTC duty in the Los Angeles area. * **Retirees:** The West Side of LA is home to many retired veterans who utilize TRICARE Select or TRICARE For Life. * **National Guard/Reserve:** Members living in Southern California using TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS). * **Transitional Beneficiaries:** Individuals recently separated from service living in the Venice area.

Common scenarios

**1. The Active Duty Spouse in Venice** Sarah lives in Venice while her husband is stationed at LAAFB. As a TRICARE Prime enrollee, she visits a civilian primary care manager (PCM) in Santa Monica. In 2026, her preventive care visits and referrals cost **$0 out of pocket**.

**2. The Retiree on TRICARE Select** Mark is a retired Navy Commander living in Venice. He chooses to see a specialist at UCLA Medical Center. Because he is on TRICARE Select (Group A), he pays an annual deductible and then a **copay of roughly $38** (2026 rates) per specialty visit, as long as the provider is in the TriWest network.

**3. Urgent Care on the Weekend** A Reservist on TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) gets a minor injury while biking the Venice boardwalk. They go to a local "Exer Urgent Care" (a network provider). They pay the 2026 TRS cost-share, which is **20% of the contracted rate** after their deductible is met.

## Related terms * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** The current (2026) West Region contractor responsible for provider networks in California. * **Network Provider:** A doctor or hospital that has an agreement with TriWest to provide care at negotiated rates. * **PCM (Primary Care Manager):** The "gatekeeper" doctor for Prime members who coordinates referrals to specialists. * **Catastrophic Cap:** The maximum amount you will pay out-of-pocket for TRICARE-covered services each year. * **Point-of-Service (POS) Option:** An expensive way for Prime members to see a non-network doctor without a referral.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** The official Department of Defense health program site. https://www.tricare.mil * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** The West Region portal for finding providers in California. https://www.triwest.com * **Express Scripts:** The official manager of TRICARE pharmacy benefits. https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com * **Los Angeles AFB 61st Medical Squadron:** Official MTF page. https://losangeles.tricare.mil/