TRICARE Maryland: NAS Patuxent River & East Region Guide | TRICARE.com

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## TRICARE in Maryland Maryland is located in the **TRICARE East Region**. All TRICARE East operations, including claims processing and provider networks, are managed by **Humana Military**. Beneficiaries in the Maryland area have access to a robust network of civilian providers and some of the world’s most advanced military treatment facilities (MTFs) due to the state's proximity to the National Capital Region.

## Major military installations Maryland is home to several high-profile military installations across all branches. These facilities often serve as the primary "hubs" for TRICARE Prime enrollment:

* **Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River:** Navy — St. Mary's County (Lexington Park) * **Fort Meade:** Army — Anne Arundel County * **Joint Base Andrews:** Air Force/Navy — Prince George's County * **Walter Reed National Military Medical Center:** National Capital Region (Tri-Service) — Bethesda * **Aberdeen Proving Ground:** Army — Aberdeen * **United States Naval Academy:** Navy — Annapolis * **Fort Detrick:** Army — Frederick

## Plans available in Maryland Residents of Maryland have access to the full suite of TRICARE health plans, including a specific regional HMO option:

| Plan Name | Best For | | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Managed care with a Primary Care Manager (PCM), usually at an MTF like Pax River. | | **TRICARE Select** | Maximum flexibility to see any network provider (PPO-style). No referral required. | | **US Family Health Plan (USFHP)** | A unique Prime option in MD where care is provided through the Johns Hopkins Medicine infrastructure. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select** | Premium-based plan for qualified members of the Selected Reserve. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve** | Premium-based plan for retired Reserve/Guard members under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** | Secondary coverage to Medicare for retirees 65+ with Medicare Part B. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Coverage for adult children (21–26) who have aged out of regular TRICARE. |

## Finding care in Maryland Beneficiaries near **NAS Patuxent River** are typically assigned to the **Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River** for primary care if enrolled in TRICARE Prime. If the MTF is at capacity, or if you are enrolled in TRICARE Select, you must use the Humana Military East Region provider directory to find network doctors.

Maryland also features a strong **Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan** network. If you enroll in USFHP, you cannot use military clinics for primary care; instead, you use the Johns Hopkins network of doctors and hospitals.

For 2026, Humana Military provides a dedicated telehealth portal for East Region members, allowing for virtual visits with network-approved specialists and mental health professionals without needing a referral for Select members.

Common questions for Maryland beneficiaries

**Can I use the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center if I live at Pax River?** Yes. While NAS Patuxent River has its own clinic for primary care, Walter Reed in Bethesda serves as a major specialty referral hub for all TRICARE beneficiaries in the Maryland and DC area. Complex specialty care is often coordinated between the two locations.

**How do I switch regions if I am moving (PCS) from a West Region state?** Since Maryland is in the East Region, you must contact **Humana Military** once you arrive at your new Maryland address. Do not cancel your old coverage until your move is complete; simply update your address in DEERS and call Humana to transfer your enrollment.

**Is the Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan better than Prime?** It depends on your location. USFHP often provides more convenient access to local civilian doctors in Maryland through the Johns Hopkins system, whereas TRICARE Prime often prioritizes care at military clinics. Both offer the same base coverage, but your "network" of doctors will be different.

## Sources * Humana Military (East Region Contractor): [humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com) * TRICARE Official Site: [tricare.mil](https://www.tricare.mil) * Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River: [patuxentriver.tricare.mil](https://patuxentriver.tricare.mil) * US Family Health Plan - Johns Hopkins: [hopkinsusfhp.org](https://www.hopkinsusfhp.org)