Fort Wainwright TRICARE: Alaska Benefits Guide 2026 | TRICARE.com

If you are stationed at Fort Wainwright or living in the Fairbanks area, you are in the **TRICARE West Region**. As of January 1, 2025, the regional contractor for Alaska is **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**. Most active duty families at Fort Wainwright utilize the Bassett Army Community Hospital for primary care, while specialized care is coordinated through a network of civilian providers in the Fairbanks and Anchorage areas.

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not an official government entity. For official policy and enrollment, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## TRICARE in Alaska Alaska is part of the TRICARE West Region. Under the current T-5 contract, **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** manages the provider network, referrals, and claims for the state. Because of Alaska’s unique geography and "Frontier" status in many areas, TRICARE beneficiaries here often rely on a mix of military treatment facilities (MTFs) and civilian network providers specialized in cold-weather medicine and remote care.

## Major military installations While your focus may be the Interior, Alaska hosts several critical installations: * **Fort Wainwright (Army):** Fairbanks/Interior Alaska. * **Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson / JBER (Air Force/Army):** Anchorage. * **Eielson Air Force Base (Air Force):** Southeast of Fairbanks. * **Clear Space Force Station (Space Force):** Anderson. * **Coast Guard Base Kodiak (Coast Guard):** Kodiak Island.

## Plans available in Alaska Beneficiaries in Alaska have access to most standard TRICARE programs, though "Prime" availability is generally centered around the major hubs of Fairbanks and Anchorage.

| Plan | Eligibility | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active Duty & Families | Managed care; primary care usually at Bassett ACH (Fort Wainwright). | | **TRICARE Select** | All beneficiaries | Use any TRICARE-authorized provider; higher out-of-pocket costs than Prime. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Qualified Select Reservists | Premium-based plan for Guard/Reserve members. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** | Retired Reservists | For "Gray Area" retirees under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** | Medicare-eligible retirees | Wraparound coverage for those with Medicare Part A & B. | | **TRICARE Young Adult (TYA)** | Adult Children | Available in both Prime and Select formats for those under 26. |

*Note: The US Family Health Plan (USFHP) is NOT available in Alaska.*

## Finding care in Alaska For those at Fort Wainwright, your "medical home" is typically **Bassett Army Community Hospital**. However, for specialty care not available on-post, you will be referred to the civilian network in Fairbanks.

* **Provider Directory:** Use the TriWest West Region provider search tool to find "Network" providers. Choosing a network provider results in lower out-of-pocket costs for Select users. * **Telehealth:** Because of the vast distances in Alaska, TRICARE heavily utilizes telehealth. TriWest offers a network of virtual providers for primary care, mental health, and even some specialty consultations. * **Travel Reimbursement:** If you are a Prime enrollee and are referred to a specialist more than 100 miles away (e.g., traveling from Fairbanks to Anchorage), you may be eligible for the Prime Travel Benefit.

Common questions for Alaska beneficiaries

### How do I switch care when I PCS to Fort Wainwright? When arriving in the Interior, you must update your address in DEERS first. Once updated, contact TriWest Healthcare Alliance to enroll in TRICARE Prime at Fort Wainwright. Your primary care manager (PCM) will likely be assigned to the 1-25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team clinics or Bassett ACH.

### Can I see a civilian doctor in Fairbanks? If you are on TRICARE Prime, you need a referral from your military PCM to see a civilian specialist. If you are on TRICARE Select, you can see any TRICARE-authorized civilian provider, but you will pay 2026 rates for cost-shares and deductibles, which vary by your "Group" (A or B).

### What if I need emergency care in a remote area (The Bush)? In a true emergency, go to the nearest hospital or clinic. TRICARE covers emergency care without a prior referral. However, for "Urgent Care," Prime enrollees should contact the Nurse Advice Line first to avoid potential point-of-service charges if they are not near a military facility.

## Sources * **TRICARE West Region (TriWest):** [triwest.com](https://www.triwest.com) * **Bassett Army Community Hospital:** [bassett-wainwright.tricare.mil](https://bassett-wainwright.tricare.mil) * **TRICARE Official Site:** [tricare.mil](https://www.tricare.mil) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [health.mil](https://www.health.mil)