TRICARE Mississippi: Keesler AFB & East Region Guide | TRICARE.com

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## TRICARE in Mississippi Mississippi is part of the **TRICARE East Region**. Comprehensive health care services for beneficiaries in the state are managed by the regional contractor, **Humana Military**. Beneficiaries living near the Gulf Coast or the Tennessee border must ensure they are utilizing the East Region’s provider network to avoid out-of-network costs.

## Major military installations Mississippi is home to several critical Air Force and Navy installations, with a high concentration of military retirees on the Gulf Coast.

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

## Plans available in Mississippi Beneficiaries in Mississippi have access to the full suite of TRICARE programs. Availability often depends on your distance from a military hospital or clinic.

| Plan | Eligibility | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active Duty, Retirees | Requires a Primary Care Manager (PCM) at Keesler AFB or a network provider. | | **TRICARE Select** | Active Duty Families, Retirees | Maximum flexibility with choice of providers; no referrals required. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Selected Reserve | Available to qualified National Guard and Reserve members. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** | Retired Reserve | For "gray area" retirees under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** | Retirees 65+ | Wrap-around coverage for those with Medicare Part A and B. | | **TRICARE Young Adult (TYA)** | Adult Children | Available for dependent children up to age 26. |

*Note: The US Family Health Plan (USFHP) is not currently available in Mississippi.*

## Finding care in Mississippi The primary hub for military medicine in the state is the **81st Medical Group at Keesler Air Force Base**, which operates one of the largest medical centers in the Air Force.

* **Provider Directory:** To find civilian care in Jackson, Gulfport, or Hattiesburg, use the [Humana Military East Region Provider Search](https://www.humanamilitary.com/beneficiary/find-care). * **Network vs. Non-Network:** In 2026, using TRICARE Network providers in Mississippi significantly lowers your out-of-pocket costs and eliminates the need for you to file your own claims. * **Telehealth:** Humana Military offers robust telehealth options for Mississippi residents, including mental health services through Doctor On Demand and other approved network platforms. * **Pharmacy:** While many utilize the pharmacy at Keesler or NAS Meridian, statewide prescriptions can be filled via **Express Scripts** home delivery or at retail pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, or local community pharmacies.

Common questions for Mississippi beneficiaries

**How do I get specialty care if I live near Keesler AFB?** If you are enrolled in TRICARE Prime at Keesler, your PCM will first attempt to refer you to a specialist within the 81st Medical Group. If a specialist is unavailable on-base, Humana Military will issue an authorization for a civilian network specialist in the Biloxi or Gulfport area.

**I am a National Guard member at Camp Shelby. Which plan should I use?** If you are on active duty orders for more than 30 days, you are covered by TRICARE Prime. When not on active orders, most Mississippi National Guard members opt for **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)**, which offers comprehensive coverage for a monthly premium (2026 rates vary by plan year — check TRICARE.mil for current rates).

**Can I use TRICARE at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC)?** Yes, UMMC and many other major hospitals in Jackson are typically part of the Humana Military network. However, always verify "Network" status on the Humana Military website before your appointment to ensure your Select or Prime referral coverage is applied correctly.

## Sources * [TRICARE East Region - Humana Military](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * [81st Medical Group - Keesler AFB](https://keesler.tricare.mil/) * [TRICARE Plan Finder](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/PlanFinder) * [Express Scripts Pharmacy](https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/)