TRICARE Kentucky: Fort Knox & East Region Guide (2026) | TRICARE.com

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## TRICARE in Kentucky Kentucky is located in the **TRICARE East Region**. Since January 1, 2025, the regional contractor for the East has been **Humana Military**, which manages the provider network and claims processing for the commonwealth. Kentucky residents, particularly those near Fort Knox and Fort Campbell, have access to a robust network of military treatment facilities (MTFs) and civilian providers.

## Major military installations in Kentucky Kentucky is home to two of the Army's most significant installations, along with substantial National Guard and Reserve activity.

* **Fort Knox:** Army (Radcliff/Elizabethtown). Home to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command and the Army ROTC Cadet Command. * **Fort Campbell:** Army (Hopkinsville/Clarksville, TN border). Home to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). *Note: While the base straddles the TN/KY line, many medical services and housing are located on the Kentucky side.* * **Blue Grass Army Depot:** Army (Richmond). Focuses on ammunition storage and chemical defense equipment. * **Kentucky Air National Guard Base:** Air Force (Louisville). Home to the 123rd Airlift Wing.

## Plans available in Kentucky TRICARE beneficiaries in Kentucky can choose from several plans depending on their service status and location.

| Plan Name | Eligibility | Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active Duty, Retirees | Managed care plan; mandatory for ADSMs near Fort Knox/Fort Campbell. | | **TRICARE Select** | Retirees, Family Members | PPO-style plan with more flexibility to choose civilian providers. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Qualified National Guard/Reserve | Premium-based plan for part-time service members and families. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** | Qualified Retired Reserve | Premium-based plan for "Grey Area" retirees under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** | Medicare-wraparound | For retirees 65+ who have Medicare Part A and B. | | **TRICARE Young Adult (TYA)** | Adult Children | For dependents aged 21–25 who are not otherwise eligible. |

## Finding care in Kentucky Most beneficiaries near **Fort Knox** will receive primary care at the **Ireland Army Health Clinic**. While Ireland no longer operates as a full-scale inpatient hospital, it provides extensive outpatient services, primary care, and specialty clinics.

* **Network Providers:** To minimize out-of-pocket costs (2026 rates), use the Humana Military "Find a Provider" tool to locate network doctors in Louisville, Elizabethtown, and Lexington. * **Referrals:** Prime enrollees must obtain a referral from their Primary Care Manager (PCM) for most specialty care. * **Telehealth:** Humana Military offers robust telehealth options for Kentucky residents. This is particularly useful for beneficiaries in rural parts of the state away from the major hubs of Louisville and Lexington. * **Pharmacy:** Express Scripts manages the pharmacy benefit. Beneficiaries can use the Fort Knox or Fort Campbell pharmacies for zero co-pays, or use home delivery and retail network pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens (copays apply).

Common questions for Kentucky beneficiaries

**I am PCSing to Fort Knox. When should I switch my enrollment?** You should contact Humana Military as soon as you arrive at your new Kentucky address. Do not disenroll from your previous region until you have arrived; your coverage should be seamless. Ensure your address is updated in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) immediately.

**Can I use TRICARE at UofL Health or UK HealthCare?** Yes, both the University of Louisville (UofL) Health and University of Kentucky (UK) HealthCare systems frequently participate in the TRICARE East network. However, participation can change; always verify with Humana Military’s provider directory before scheduling an appointment to ensure you pay the lower "network" rate.

**What happens if I live in a rural part of Kentucky far from a base?** If you live more than 50 miles or a one-hour drive from a Military Treatment Facility, you may be eligible for **TRICARE Prime Remote**. This allows you to receive primary care from a local civilian provider while maintaining Prime benefits and lower out-of-pocket costs.

## Sources 1. Humana Military East Region Portal: [humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) 2. TRICARE East Region Overview: [tricare.mil/East](https://www.tricare.mil/East) 3. Ireland Army Health Clinic (Fort Knox): [ireland.tricare.mil](https://ireland.tricare.mil/) 4. Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS): [idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/](https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/)