TRICARE West: 2026 Guide to TriWest & Regional Benefits

## Quick answer TRICARE West is one of the two primary TRICARE health regions in the United States, managed by **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** as of January 1, 2025. This region covers 26 states in the western U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii, and oversees the delivery of healthcare services to millions of active duty members, retirees, and their families.

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program. For official enrollment and policy information, visit [TRICARE.mil](https://www.tricare.mil).*

## In detail As of June 8, 2026, the TRICARE West Region operates under the "T5" (fifth generation) contract. The primary switch for 2025 was the transition of the regional contractor from Health Net Federal Services (HNFS) to **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**.

### Geographic Coverage The West Region includes: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas (western areas), Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

### Plan Options in the West Beneficiaries in the West Region typically choose between three main plan structures: * **TRICARE Prime:** A managed care option similar to an HMO. You are assigned a Primary Care Manager (PCM) and usually receive care at a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) if available. * **TRICARE Select:** A self-managed PPO-style option. You can see any TRICARE-authorized provider, but you pay lower out-of-pocket costs if you use the TriWest network. * **TRICARE for Life:** For those with both Medicare Part A and Part B. TriWest acts as the secondary payer to Medicare across the western states.

### 2026 Network Provider Access The West Region utilizes a vast network of civilian providers coordinated by TriWest. To find a doctor in 2026, you must use the TriWest Provider Directory. If you are on TRICARE Prime, your specialist referrals must be authorized by TriWest before you receive care to avoid "Point of Service" (POS) charges, which include a $300 deductible and 50% cost-shares.

*Note: Active duty members and their dependents (Group A) generally have $0 out-of-pocket costs for covered services when using the TRICARE West network.*

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** Required to enroll in TRICARE Prime (West) if stationed in the region. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Can choose between Prime or Select; TriWest manages their authorizations and claims. * **Retirees and Families:** Must pay annual enrollment fees to TriWest to maintain coverage in the West Region. * **National Guard/Reserve:** Members using TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) within the 26 western states file claims through TriWest.

Common scenarios

### Scenario 1: Specialist Referral in San Diego An active duty spouse in San Diego (TRICARE Prime) needs to see a dermatologist. Their PCM at Naval Medical Center San Diego submits a referral. **TriWest** processes the request of authorization. If the spouse sees the dermatologist without this TriWest authorization, they may be billed a 50% Point of Service charge.

### Scenario 2: Emergency Room Visit in Seattle A retiree in Seattle (TRICARE Select) goes to a civilian ER for chest pain. Because they are on Select, they do not need a referral. They pay a $251 copay (2026 rate for Group A retirees) and TriWest pays the remainder of the covered network rate directly to the hospital.

### Scenario 3: Moving from Georgia to Colorado A Soldier PCSes from Fort Stewart (East Region - Humana) to Fort Carson (West Region - TriWest). This is a "Qualifying Life Event" (QLE). The Soldier must update their address in DEERS and specifically contact TriWest to "transfer enrollment" to the West Region to ensure their coverage does not lapse.

## Related terms * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** The current private contractor managing the TRICARE West Region network and claims. * **DEERS:** The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System; the database that determines if you are eligible for TRICARE. * **PCM (Primary Care Manager):** The doctor responsible for your basic care and for coordinating referrals in the West Prime network. * **T5 Contract:** The fifth generation of TRICARE contracts which reorganized the regional boundaries and contractors in 2025. * **MTF (Military Treatment Facility):** Military hospitals or clinics located on bases like Camp Pendleton or Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

## Sources * **TRICARE Official Site:** [https://www.tricare.mil](https://www.tricare.mil) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Contractor):** [https://www.triwest.com](https://www.triwest.com) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [https://health.mil](https://health.mil)