TRICARE Colorado & Fort Carson Guide | 2026 Rates & Info | TRICARE.com

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

## TRICARE in Colorado Colorado is part of the **TRICARE West Region**. As of January 1, 2025, the regional contractor is **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**, which replaced Health Net Federal Services (HNFS) under the T-5 contract transition. Beneficiaries at Fort Carson and across the state now utilize TriWest for provider networks, referrals, and customer service.

## Major military installations Colorado is home to several high-population military communities, with a heavy concentration in the Colorado Springs area near Fort Carson.

* **Fort Carson (Army):** Located in Colorado Springs (The "Mountain Post"). * **Peterson Space Force Base (Space Force):** Located in Colorado Springs. * **Schriever Space Force Base (Space Force):** Located east of Colorado Springs. * **United States Air Force Academy (Air Force):** Located north of Colorado Springs. * **Buckley Space Force Base (Space Force):** Located in Aurora (Denver metro area). * **Pueblo Chemical Depot (Army):** Located near Pueblo.

## Plans available in Colorado Beneficiaries in Colorado have access to the standard suite of TRICARE plans, though plan availability depends on your location (zip code) and sponsor status.

| Plan Name | Best For... | Type | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active duty and retirees near bases (Fort Carson/Buckley). | Managed care with a Primary Care Manager (PCM). | | **TRICARE Select** | Those who want to choose their own doctors and don't mind copays. | PPO-style plan; no referrals needed for most services. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Qualified Selected Reserve members and their families. | Premium-based plan with 2026 rates (check TRICARE.mil for current monthly costs). | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** | Retired Reserve members under age 60. | Premium-based health plan. | | **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** | Dual-eligible retirees with Medicare Part A and B. | Secondary payer to Medicare. | | **TRICARE Young Adult (TYA)** | Adult children ages 21–26 who are not otherwise eligible. | Available in Prime or Select versions. |

*Note: The US Family Health Plan (USFHP) is **not** currently available in Colorado.*

## Finding care in Colorado Most care for Colorado beneficiaries begins at Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) like Evans Army Community Hospital at Fort Carson or the 21st Medical Group at Peterson SFB.

* **Provider Directory:** To find civilian providers in Denver, Colorado Springs, or Pueblo, use the **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** provider search tool. * **Network vs. Non-Network:** Using a "Network" provider in Colorado will result in lower out-of-pocket costs and no need to file your own claims. Non-network providers may charge up to 15% above the TRICARE-allowable charge. * **Telehealth:** TriWest offers a robust telehealth network for Colorado residents, which is particularly useful for those living in rural areas or near the Western Slope. No referral is typically needed for the first eight outpatient mental health visits with a network provider.

Common questions for Colorado beneficiaries

**What happens if I am PCSing to Fort Carson from the East Region?** Since Colorado is in the West Region, you must contact TriWest Healthcare Alliance to transfer your enrollment once you arrive. Your coverage will not automatically "follow" you across the regional border from the East Region (Humana Military) without an enrollment update.

**Can I use TRICARE at UCHealth or Centura Health facilities?** Yes, many providers within large Colorado systems like UCHealth, Centura (CommonSpirit), and HealthOne are part of the TriWest network. However, always verify the specific doctor's status in the TriWest directory before your appointment, as "facility" network status does not always guarantee "provider" network status.

**How does TRICARE work with Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado)?** If you have both TRICARE and Colorado Medicaid, TRICARE is the primary payer. Medicaid is always the payer of last resort. You must inform your providers that you have both to ensure proper billing.

## Sources * TRICARE West Region Official Site: [https://www.tricare-west.com](https://www.tricare-west.com) * Evans Army Community Hospital (Fort Carson): [https://evans.tricare.mil/](https://evans.tricare.mil/) * TRICARE Plan Finder: [https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/PlanFinder](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/PlanFinder) * Defense Health Agency (DHA): [https://health.mil/](https://health.mil/)