TRICARE California: Travis AFB & West Region Guide | TRICARE.com

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or a government agency. For official policy, please visit TRICARE.mil.*

## TRICARE in California California is part of the **TRICARE West Region**. Since January 1, 2025, the regional contractor providing managed care and administrative support is **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**, which replaced Health Net Federal Services (HNFS). Beneficiaries at Travis AFB and throughout the state interact with TriWest for referrals, authorizations, and network provider searches.

## Major military installations California is home to dozens of military facilities, but these are the primary hubs for TRICARE services:

* **Travis Air Force Base (Air Force)** – Fairfield (Solano County) * **Camp Pendleton (Marine Corps)** – Oceanside * **Naval Base San Diego (Navy)** – San Diego * **Beale Air Force Base (Air Force)** – Marysville * **Fort Irwin (Army)** – San Bernardino County * **Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (Marine Corps)** – San Diego * **Vandenberg Space Force Base (Space Force)** – Lompoc

## Plans available in California Military families in California have access to several plan types depending on their duty status and location:

| Plan | Best For... | Key Note for California | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active Duty & Families | Required for Active Duty; managed care at military hospitals like David Grant USAF Medical Center (Travis AFB). | | **TRICARE Select** | Retirees & Families | Preferred provider organization (PPO) plan; offers more flexibility to choose providers outside the base. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select** | National Guard/Reserve | Premium-based plan for qualified Selected Reserve members. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve** | Retired Guard/Reserve | For retired reservists under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life** | Medicare-eligible | Wraparound coverage for those with Medicare Part A and B. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Adult Children | For dependent children up to age 26 who are not otherwise eligible for their own employer plans. |

## Finding care in California For those stationed at **Travis AFB**, primary care is typically delivered through the **David Grant USAF Medical Center (DGMC)**. DGMC is the flagship medical facility in the West Region and provides a full range of inpatient and outpatient services.

If you are a TRICARE Select beneficiary or a Prime family member with a referral to see a civilian specialist, you must use the **TriWest Healthcare Alliance provider directory** to find network providers. Using a "Network" provider in California will generally result in lower out-of-pocket costs (copays) than using a "Non-Network" provider who does not have a contract with TriWest.

**Telehealth:** California beneficiaries can access 24/7 care through the Military Health System (MHS) Nurse Advice Line or utilize TriWest’s approved telehealth partners for behavioral health and urgent care needs without a referral in many cases (though active duty should always consult their PCM first).

Common questions for California beneficiaries

**I am PCSing to Travis AFB; what do I do first?** Once you arrive in Fairfield/Vacaville, update your address in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System). Since California is in the West Region, you will coordinate your enrollment with TriWest Healthcare Alliance. If you are coming from an East Region state (like Florida or Virginia), you must officially transfer your enrollment to the West Region.

**Does TRICARE coordinate with Medi-Cal?** Yes. By law, TRICARE is the secondary payer to most other health insurance plans, including employer-sponsored insurance. However, TRICARE is the primary payer to **Medi-Cal** (California's Medicaid program). If you have both, your providers should bill TRICARE first.

**Can I see a doctor in San Francisco if I live at Travis AFB?** If you are on TRICARE Prime, your care is managed by your Primary Care Manager (PCM) at Travis AFB. You will need a referral to see a specialist in San Francisco or elsewhere in the Bay Area. If you are on TRICARE Select, you can see any networked provider in the region without a referral, though your costs may be higher.

## Sources * [TRICARE West Region - TriWest Healthcare Alliance](https://www.triwest.com/en/beneficiary/landing) * [David Grant USAF Medical Center (Travis AFB)](https://travis.tricare.mil/) * [TRICARE.mil Plans Overview](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans) * [Defense Health Agency - T5 Contract Information](https://www.health.mil/)