TRICARE Alaska: Eielson AFB & West Region Guide (2026) | TRICARE.com

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**The Short Answer:** Alaska is part of the **TRICARE West Region**. As of January 1, 2025, the West Region contractor is **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** (replacing Health Net Federal Services). Personnel at Eielson AFB primarily use TRICARE Prime for on-base care at the 354th Medical Group, while TRICARE Select provides more flexibility for using civilian specialists in the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

## TRICARE in Alaska Alaska is managed under the **TRICARE West Region**. Since the start of the T-5 contract on January 1, 2025, **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** has served as the regional contractor, overseeing the provider network and claims processing for the state. Because of Alaska’s unique geography and "Frontier" status in many areas, beneficiaries often rely on a mix of military treatment facilities (MTFs) and a specialized network of civilian providers who are accustomed to TRICARE's reimbursement rates in high-cost areas.

## Major military installations While Eielson AFB is a primary hub in the Interior, Alaska hosts several major installations across the state:

* **Eielson Air Force Base** (Air Force) – near North Pole/Fairbanks * **Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)** (Air Force/Army) – Anchorage * **Fort Wainwright** (Army) – Fairbanks * **Fort Greely** (Army) – Delta Junction * **Coast Guard Base Kodiak** (Coast Guard) – Kodiak Island * **Coast Guard Sector Juneau** (Coast Guard) – Juneau

## Plans available in Alaska Most TRICARE plans are available to residents in Alaska, though Prime enrollment is generally limited to "Prime Service Areas" surrounding major bases like Eielson and JBER.

| Plan | Best For | | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active duty members (mandatory) and families living near Eielson or JBER. Lowest out-of-pocket costs. | | **TRICARE Select** | Families and retirees who want to see any TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral. Requires 2026 enrollment fees and copays. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select** | National Guard and Reserve members (and their families) not on active duty. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve** | Retired Reserve members under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life** | For those with both Medicare Part A and B. Acts as secondary payer to Medicare. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Unmarried children (21–25) of eligible sponsors who don't have their own employer coverage. |

## Finding care in Alaska Beneficiaries assigned to **Eielson AFB** are typically enrolled in the **354th Medical Group**. For services not available on base, or for those using TRICARE Select, you must use the **TriWest Healthcare Alliance Provider Directory** to find network doctors in Fairbanks or Anchorage.

* **Network vs. Non-Network:** In Alaska, using a "Network" provider with TriWest will result in lower out-of-pocket costs and no paperwork. Non-network providers may charge up to 15% above the TRICARE-allowable amount (the "Point of Service" charge). * **Telehealth:** Given Alaska’s vast distances, TRICARE heavily supports telehealth. You can access mental health or urgent care via **Doctor On Demand** or other approved TriWest platforms without a referral in many cases (depending on your plan).

Common questions for Alaska beneficiaries

**What happens if I need specialized care not available at Eielson AFB?** If you are on TRICARE Prime, your Primary Care Manager (PCM) at the 354th Medical Group will issue a referral. If the care isn't available in the Fairbanks area, TRICARE may authorize travel to Anchorage or even Seattle through the Prime Travel Benefit.

**Does Alaska have a US Family Health Plan (USFHP)?** No. The US Family Health Plan is only available in specific regions of the Lower 48 (mostly Northeast and Gulf Coast). It is not an option for Alaska residents.

**How does TRICARE work with Alaska Medicaid?** TRICARE is always the primary payer to Medicaid. If you are eligible for both, the provider must bill TRICARE first. Note that finding providers in Alaska who accept both TRICARE and Medicaid can be challenging in rural regions.

## Sources * **TRICARE West Region (TriWest):** [triwest.com](https://www.triwest.com) * **Eielson AFB 354th Medical Group:** [eielson.af.mil](https://www.eielson.af.mil) * **TRICARE Official Site:** [tricare.mil](https://www.tricare.mil) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [health.mil](https://www.health.mil)