What is TRICARE US Family Health Plan? (2026 Guide) | TRICARE.com

The **TRICARE US Family Health Plan (USFHP)** is a unique HMO-style enrollment option offered through private, non-profit community health care systems rather than military hospitals or the standard TRICARE network. It provides comprehensive care, including pharmacy benefits and wellness programs, to eligible beneficiaries living in six specific geographic regions of the United States.

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense. For official policy and enrollment, visit TRICARE.mil.*

Details

Unlike TRICARE Prime, which typically directs patients to Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), USFHP members receive all of their care—including primary care, specialty care, and hospitalizations—from doctors and facilities associated with one of six designated regional providers.

### The Six USFHP Providers Availability is based strictly on your zip code. The designated providers are: 1. **Johns Hopkins Medicine:** Serving MD, DC, and parts of VA, PA, and WV. 2. **Martin’s Point Health Care:** Serving ME, NH, VT, and parts of NY and PA. 3. **Brighton Marine Health Center:** Serving MA and RI. 4. **St. Vincent’s Public Health Strategy:** Serving Southeast LA and Southern MS. 5. **CHRISTUS Health:** Serving Southeast TX and Southwest LA. 6. **Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed):** Serving Western WA.

### Key Benefits and Restrictions * **No MTF Access:** If you enroll in USFHP, you cannot get care at a military hospital or clinic, nor can you use the TRICARE pharmacy benefit at MTFs or via Express Scripts. You must use the USFHP provider's specific pharmacy network. * **Primary Care Manager (PCM):** You select a PCM from the USFHP network who coordinates all your care and provides referrals for specialists. * **Enhanced Benefits:** Many USFHP sites offer "value-added" benefits not found in standard TRICARE plans, such as gym memberships, eyewear discounts, or enhanced wellness coaching.

### 2026 Costs and Fees Costs for USFHP mirror those of TRICARE Prime. * **Active Duty Family Members:** No enrollment fees and $0 out-of-pocket for covered services when coordinated by a PCM. * **Retirees and Families:** For 2026, retirees in Group A (initial enlistment before Jan 1, 2018) pay an annual enrollment fee of approximately $391.92 for individuals or $783.84 for families (subject to final 2026 adjustments by the DHA). * **Point-of-Service (POS) Charges:** If you see a doctor without a referral, you will face high out-of-pocket deductibles and 50% cost-shares.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Family Members:** Spouses and children of service members on active duty. * **Retirees and their Families:** Retired service members and their eligible dependents. * **Survivors:** Eligible family members of deceased service members. * **Medically Retired:** Those placed on the TOS (Temporary Disability Retired List). * **Note:** Active duty service members themselves are **not** eligible for USFHP; they must remain in TRICARE Prime or Prime Remote. Additionally, those age 65 and older with Medicare Part B (TRICARE For Life) are generally not eligible, with very limited exceptions for those enrolled prior to 2012.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [US Family Health Plan Overview](https://tricARE.mil/usfhp) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [TRICARE Cost Matrix](https://tricare.mil/costs) * **US Family Health Plan National:** [Member Site](https://www.usfhp.com)