Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) & TRICARE Guide | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer A Military Treatment Facility (MTF) is a medical clinic or hospital located on a military installation and operated by the Department of Defense. These facilities are the primary source of care for active duty service members and the "home base" for many TRICARE Prime enrollees, offering care with no out-of-pocket costs.

## Details Military Treatment Facilities range from small clinics providing primary care and immunizations to massive teaching hospitals (like Brooke Army Medical Center) capable of complex surgeries and trauma care.

### Priority of Care Not everyone has the same access to an MTF. The Defense Health Agency (DHA) uses a priority system to determine who gets an appointment: 1. **Group 1:** Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs). 2. **Group 2:** Active Duty Family Members enrolled in TRICARE Prime. 3. **Group 3:** Retirees, their families, and survivors enrolled in TRICARE Prime. 4. **Group 4:** All others (TRICARE Select, TRICARE For Life, and non-enrolled beneficiaries) on a space-available basis.

### Costs and Plan Integration * **TRICARE Prime:** If you are enrolled in a Prime plan and assigned to an MTF, your Primary Care Manager (PCM) is a military provider. You generally pay **$0** (2026 rates) for any care received at the MTF. * **TRICARE Select:** These beneficiaries usually see civilian providers but can request care at an MTF on a "space-available" basis. If seen at an MTF, there is typically no copay for the visit, though pharmacy charges may apply. * **TRICARE For Life (TFL):** TFL beneficiaries can use MTFs if space is available. Note that Medicare does not pay for care in an MTF, but TRICARE covers the full cost of the visit.

### Pharmacy Services MTFs house "Military Pharmacies." These remain the most cost-effective way to get prescriptions. For the 2026 plan year, prescriptions filled at an MTF pharmacy have a **$0 copay** for up to a 90-day supply, regardless of beneficiary status (retirees included). This is a significant savings compared to the 2026 rates for retail or home delivery pharmacies.

### Impact of the T-5 Contract As of 2025/2026, the transition to the T-5 contract means **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** manages the West Region and **Humana Military** manages the East. While these contractors manage the civilian networks, the MTFs themselves are managed by the Defense Health Agency (DHA). If an MTF cannot see you within TRICARE's "access to care" standards (e.g., within 24 hours for urgent care), the MTF or the regional contractor will issue a referral to a civilian provider.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** Required to use MTFs for all primary care. * **Active Duty Family Members:** Priority access if enrolled in TRICARE Prime. * **Retirees & Their Families:** Access via TRICARE Prime (if near an MTF) or space-available for Select/TFL. * **Guard/Reserve:** Eligible when on active duty orders or if enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select (space-available only).

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Military Hospitals and Clinics](https://www.tricare.mil/mtf) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [MTF Operations](https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Access-Cost-Quality-and-Safety/Access-to-Healthcare/MTF-Access-to-Care-Standards) * **Humana Military (East):** [Find a Military Facility](https://www.humanamilitary.com) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West):** [MTF Locator and Network Information](https://www.triwest.com)