TRICARE Louisiana: NAS JRB New Orleans & East Region Guide

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

## TRICARE in Louisiana Louisiana is part of the **TRICARE East Region**. Since January 1, 2025, the managed care contractor for the East Region remains **Humana Military**, providing health care administration for active duty service members, retirees, and their families throughout the Pelican State. Beneficiaries here have access to a robust network of civilian providers and several major military treatment facilities (MTFs).

## Major military installations Louisiana is home to several critical military hubs, with the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) New Orleans serving as a primary focal point for multi-branch healthcare demand.

* **NAS JRB New Orleans** (Navy/Joint) – Belle Chasse * **Barksdale Air Force Base** (Air Force) – Bossier City * **Fort Johnson** (formerly Fort Polk - Army) – Leesville * **Coast Guard Base New Orleans** (Coast Guard) – New Orleans * **Louisiana National Guard (Camp Beauregard)** – Pineville

## Plans available in Louisiana Beneficiaries in Louisiana can choose from several plans depending on their status and location. Notably, the **US Family Health Plan (USFHP)** is available in certain parts of South Louisiana (including the New Orleans area) through CHRISTUS Health.

| Plan | Eligibility | Key Feature | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active Duty & Families | HMO-style: Use NAS JRB New Orleans or Barksdale clinics as your primary care. | | **TRICARE Select** | Most Beneficiaries | PPO-style: Use any TRICARE-authorized provider; higher out-of-pocket for 2026. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select** | National Guard/Reserve | Premium-based plan for qualified "gray area" or drilling members. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve** | Retired Reservists | For retired members under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life** | Medicare-eligible | Wraparound coverage for those with Medicare Part A and B. | | **US Family Health Plan** | Dependents/Retirees | Managed locally by CHRISTUS Health in New Orleans and Lake Charles areas. |

## Finding care in Louisiana For those stationed at **NAS JRB New Orleans**, the primary point of care is the Naval Operational Support Center (NOSC) clinic. If you are enrolled in TRICARE Prime and need specialty care not available on-base, you must obtain a referral through Humana Military to see a civilian provider in the local community.

* **Provider Directory:** Use the Humana Military East Region provider search tool to find "In-Network" providers in cities like Metairie, Bossier City, and Alexandria to keep 2026 copays at their lowest. * **Telehealth:** Humana Military offers robust telehealth options for Louisiana residents, including mental health services that can be accessed without a referral for Prime-enrolled dependents and retirees. * **Pharmacy:** Prescription services are available at military pharmacies (Barksdale, Fort Johnson, NAS JRB) or through the **Express Scripts** mail-order program and retail network.

Common questions for Louisiana beneficiaries

**Can I use the CHRISTUS Health plan in New Orleans?** Yes. The US Family Health Plan (USFHP) is a unique TRICARE Prime option offered through CHRISTUS Health for beneficiaries living in the New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Shreveport areas. If you enroll in USFHP, you receive all your care through CHRISTUS providers instead of military clinics.

**How does Louisiana Medicaid work with TRICARE?** TRICARE is always the primary payer to Medicaid. If you are a lower-income veteran or family member in Louisiana eligible for both, TRICARE pays first, and Louisiana Medicaid may cover remaining out-of-pocket costs for covered services.

**What happens if I PCS from NAS JRB New Orleans to a West Region base?** If you move to a West Region state (like Texas or Arkansas), you will transition from Humana Military to **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**. You must update your address in DEERS and contact TriWest to enroll in your new region to avoid a gap in coverage.

## Sources * TRICARE East Region Contractor (Humana Military): [humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * TRICARE Official Site: [tricare.mil](https://www.tricare.mil/) * NAS JRB New Orleans Official Site: [cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrarse/installations/nas_jrb_new_orleans.html](https://cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrarse/installations/nas_jrb_new_orleans.html) * US Family Health Plan (CHRISTUS Health): [usfhp.com](https://www.usfhp.com/)