TRICARE Louisiana: Fort Johnson & East Region Guide | TRICARE.com

## TRICARE in Louisiana Louisiana is located in the **TRICARE East Region**. Comprehensive health care services for military families in the state are managed by the regional contractor, **Humana Military**. While TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and not the official TRICARE program, beneficiaries should note that Louisiana's geography, particularly near Fort Johnson, often requires coordination between military treatment facilities and a robust network of civilian providers.

## Major Military Installations in Louisiana Louisiana is home to several critical military hubs, with the Army’s Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) serving as a primary focus for medical care in the western part of the state.

* **Fort Johnson (formerly Fort Polk):** Army - Leesville/Deridder * **Barksdale Air Force Base:** Air Force - Bossier City/Shreveport * **Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans:** Navy/Marine Corps - Belle Chasse * **Coast Guard Base New Orleans:** Coast Guard - New Orleans * **Louisiana National Guard (Jackson Barracks):** Army/Air National Guard - New Orleans/Pineville

## Plans Available in Louisiana Beneficiaries in Louisiana have access to the standard suite of TRICARE plans. Note that **TRICARE Prime** availability is generally tied to "Prime Service Areas" (PSAs), which are typically within a 40-mile radius of a military base like Fort Johnson or Barksdale AFB.

| Plan Type | Best For... | 2026 Note | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active duty and families near bases | Lowest out-of-pocket costs; requires PCM | | **TRICARE Select** | Those who want to choose any network provider | Deductibles and copays apply | | **TRICARE Reserve Select** | Qualified National Guard and Reserve | Monthly premiums required | | **TRICARE For Life** | Retirees with Medicare Part A & B | Acts as secondary payer to Medicare | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Adult children age 21–25 | Available in Prime or Select formats | | **Retired Reserve** | Retired Guard/Reserve under age 60 | Higher monthly premiums |

*Note: The US Family Health Plan (USFHP) is generally not available in Louisiana; beneficiaries typically use Humana Military’s network.*

## Finding Care in Louisiana For those stationed at **Fort Johnson**, primary care is often delivered through **Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital (BJACH)**. If you are enrolled in TRICARE Prime and need care that BJACH cannot provide, you will receive a referral to a network provider in the Leesville, Alexandria, or Lake Charles areas.

* **Provider Directory:** To find civilian doctors, specialists, or behavioral health providers, use the [Humana Military Provider Locator](https://www.humanamilitary.com). * **Network vs. Non-Network:** Using a "Network" provider in cities like Shreveport or New Orleans results in lower 2026 cost-shares. Non-network providers may charge up to 15% above the TRICARE-allowable charge. * **Telehealth:** TRICARE covers secure video conferencing for many services. In rural Louisiana, this is a popular option for mental health services. Standard 2026 copays apply based on your specific plan.

Common Questions for Louisiana Beneficiaries

**I am PCSing to Fort Johnson. How do I switch my TRICARE?** You should not update your enrollment until you have physically arrived in Louisiana and updated your address in DEERS. Once your new address is reflected, you can use the TRICARE Self-Service (Beneficiary Web Enrollment) portal or call Humana Military at 1-800-444-5445 to assign a new Primary Care Manager (PCM) at Fort Johnson.

**Does TRICARE work with Louisiana Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana)?** Yes, but TRICARE is always the primary payer to Medicaid. If you or a family member are dual-eligible, providers must bill TRICARE first. Medicaid is the "payer of last resort."

**Where is the nearest MTF if I am in New Orleans?** While there is no major military hospital in New Orleans equivalent to BJACH, the **Naval Air Station JRB New Orleans Clinic** provides primary care services. For specialty care or emergencies, beneficiaries often utilize the Humana Military civilian network (e.g., Ochsner Health or LCMC Health systems).

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil official site:** [https://www.tricare.mil](https://www.tricare.mil) * **Humana Military (East Region):** [https://www.humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com) * **Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital:** [https://bayne-jones.tricare.mil/](https://bayne-jones.tricare.mil/) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [https://health.mil](https://health.mil)