TRICARE New Jersey: Plans, JB MDL, and Regional Info | TRICARE.com

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## TRICARE in New Jersey New Jersey is part of the **TRICARE East Region**. Comprehensive health coverage for service members and their families in the Garden State is managed by the regional contractor, **Humana Military**. New Jersey is also a primary service area for the **US Family Health Plan**, a unique TRICARE Prime option available through local civilian healthcare systems.

## Major military installations New Jersey is home to several critical military hubs, primarily centered around the massive joint base in the central part of the state:

* **Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL):** A massive tri-service installation spanning Burlington and Ocean Counties, representing the Air Force, Army, and Navy. * **Coast Guard Training Center Cape May:** The primary accession point for all Coast Guard enlisted recruits, located at the southern tip of the state. * **Picatinny Arsenal:** The Army’s joint center of excellence for armaments and munitions, located in Morris County. * **Naval Weapons Station Earle:** A Navy support facility located in Monmouth County. * **Coast Guard Base Atlantic City:** Located at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Technical Center in Egg Harbor Township.

## Plans available in New Jersey Residents of New Jersey have access to several TRICARE plan options depending on their military status and location:

| Plan Name | Eligibility | Key Features | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active Duty, Retirees | Managed care with a Primary Care Manager (PCM); usually located near bases. | | **TRICARE Select** | Active Duty families, Retirees | More flexibility in choosing providers; requires annual deductibles and copays. | | **US Family Health Plan** | Active Duty families, Retirees | A Prime option using local health systems (Saint Barnabas Health Care System/CHRISTUS). | | **TRICARE Reserve Select** | National Guard/Reserve | Premium-based plan for qualified members of the Selected Reserve. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve** | Retired Guard/Reserve | Premium-based plan for "gray area" retirees under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life** | Retirees 65+ | Wraparound coverage for those with Medicare Part A and B. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Adult children 21–25 | Available for purchase for dependent children who have aged out of regular TRICARE. |

## Finding care in New Jersey To find a doctor, specialist, or hospital in New Jersey, beneficiaries should use the **Humana Military East Region Provider Directory**.

* **Network vs. Non-Network:** In New Jersey’s high-cost healthcare market, using “Network” providers significantly lowers your out-of-pocket costs. If you use a non-network provider, you may be subject to higher deductibles and "balance billing" (where the doctor charges more than the TRICARE allowable amount). * **US Family Health Plan (USFHP):** In New Jersey, USFHP is a popular alternative. If you enroll in USFHP, you receive your care through the **Saint Barnabas Health Care System** (or affiliated networks) rather than through military clinics or the standard Humana Military network. * **Telehealth:** TRICARE covers secure video conferencing for many services. In New Jersey, Humana Military partners with platforms like Doctor On Demand to provide 24/7 access to urgent care and mental health services.

Common questions for New Jersey beneficiaries

**What happens if I cross into New York or Pennsylvania for care?** Since New York and Pennsylvania are also in the East Region, your coverage remains under Humana Military. However, ensure your provider is still considered "in-network" within the Humana Military directory to avoid higher costs, as many providers in NYC or Philadelphia have different billing structures than those in NJ.

**Can I use the military hospital at JB MDL for all my care?** Active duty members at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst are typically assigned to the base clinic. Family members and retirees may be seen on base on a "space available" basis, but many choose TRICARE Prime with a civilian PCM or TRICARE Select to access the wider network of NJ providers.

**How does TRICARE interact with NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid)?** By law, TRICARE is the secondary payer to most other health insurance plans, but it is the primary payer over Medicaid. If you or a family member qualify for NJ FamilyCare, TRICARE will pay its portion first, and New Jersey's Medicaid program will pay last.

## Sources * **Humana Military (East Contractor):** [humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * **TRICARE.mil Plan Finder:** [tricare.mil/plans](https://tricare.mil/plans) * **US Family Health Plan of Southern New Jersey:** [usfhp.net](https://usfhp.net/) * **Defense Health Agency - JB MDL Info:** [mcguire-dix-lakehurst.tricare.mil](https://mcguire-dix-lakehurst.tricare.mil/)