TRICARE Mississippi: Camp Shelby & Base Guide | TRICARE.com

*Disclaimer: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or affiliated with the Department of Defense. For official policy and the most current data, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## TRICARE in Mississippi Mississippi is part of the **TRICARE East Region**. Comprehensive health care services for Mississippi beneficiaries are managed by **Humana Military**, the regional contractor. While many service members are concentrated at major hubs like Keesler AFB or NAS Meridian, a large portion of the state's military population is centered around the massive training operations at Camp Shelby.

## Major military installations in Mississippi Mississippi hosts several critical installations spanning multiple branches of service:

* **Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center:** (Army/National Guard) – Hattiesburg * **Keesler Air Force Base:** (Air Force) – Biloxi * **Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian:** (Navy) – Meridian * **Naval Construction Battalion Center (Seabee Base):** (Navy) – Gulfport * **Columbus Air Force Base:** (Air Force) – Columbus * **Camp McCain Training Center:** (Army National Guard) – Grenada

## Plans available in Mississippi Mississippi residents have access to the full suite of TRICARE programs. Availability often depends on your distance from a military hospital or clinic (Prime Service Area).

| Plan Type | Best For | | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active duty and retirees living in a Prime Service Area (near bases like Keesler or NAS Meridian). Features a Primary Care Manager (PCM). | | **TRICARE Prime Remote** | Active duty members and families stationed at **Camp Shelby** or in rural areas where a military clinic is not available. | | **TRICARE Select** | PPO-style plan with the most flexibility. No PCM required; use any TRICARE-authorized provider. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Qualified members of the Selected Reserve (National Guard/Reserves) and their families. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** | Retired Reserve members under age 60 and their families. | | **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** | Medicare-wraparound coverage for retirees and spouses aged 65+. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Coverage for adult children (ages 21–26) who are not eligible for their own employer health plan. |

## Finding care in Mississippi Because Mississippi has large rural stretches, your choice of provider is critical to managing costs.

* **Provider Directory:** Beneficiaries in the East Region should use the [Humana Military Provider Locator](https://www.humanamilitary.com/beneficiary/find-a-provider) to find network doctors in cities like Hattiesburg, Jackson, or Gulfport. * **Camp Shelby Specifics:** There is a Troop Medical Clinic (TMC) at Camp Shelby for active personnel, but most family members and retirees in the Hattiesburg area utilize network providers in the civilian community. * **Telehealth:** Humana Military offers robust telehealth options for MS residents, particularly useful for those living far from the coast or major metros. These visits are treated as office visits for cost-sharing purposes (2026 rates apply). * **Network vs. Non-Network:** Using a "Network" provider saves you money. If you see a "Non-network, Non-participating" provider, you may have to pay the provider upfront and file your own claim for reimbursement.

Common questions for Mississippi beneficiaries

**I am being assigned to Camp Shelby. Can I use the clinic on post?** The Camp Shelby Troop Medical Clinic primarily serves active duty personnel and those on orders for training. Family members and retirees usually enroll in TRICARE Prime Remote or TRICARE Select and see civilian providers in the Hattiesburg/Petal area.

**How does TRICARE work with Mississippi Medicaid?** By law, TRICARE pays first and Medicaid pays last. If you are eligible for both, you must inform your providers so they can bill TRICARE primarily.

**What pharmacy options are available in rural Mississippi?** While major bases have MTF pharmacies, most beneficiaries use the **Express Scripts** network. You can use retail pharmacies (like Walgreens or CVS) or the TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery service, which is often the most cost-effective for maintenance medications.

## Sources 1. **TRICARE East Region Contractor (Humana Military):** [humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com) 2. **Official TRICARE Plan Finder:** [tricare.mil/Plans/PlanFinder](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/PlanFinder) 3. **Camp Shelby Official Site:** [ms.ng.mil/installations/shelby](https://ms.ng.mil/installations/shelby) 4. **TRICARE Pharmacy Program (Express Scripts):** [militaryrx.express-scripts.com](https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com)