TRICARE New Jersey: JB MDL & East Region Guide (2026) | TRICARE.com

*Disclaimer: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or part of the Department of Defense. For official policy and enrollment, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## TRICARE in New Jersey New Jersey is part of the **TRICARE East Region**. Comprehensive medical coverage for service members and their families in the Garden State is managed by the regional contractor, **Humana Military**. New Jersey is unique for its high concentration of beneficiaries centered around Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and its proximity to the US Family Health Plan (USFHP) network.

## Major military installations New Jersey is home to several critical installations, most notably the only tri-service joint base in the United States:

* **Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL):** (Air Force/Army/Navy) Located in Burlington and Ocean Counties near Wrightstown. * **Coast Guard Training Center Cape May:** (Coast Guard) Cape May. * **Naval Weapons Station Earle:** (Navy) Colts Neck. * **Picatinny Arsenal:** (Army) Dover. * **Atlantic City Air National Guard Base:** (Air Force) Egg Harbor Township.

## Plans available in New Jersey Beneficiaries in New Jersey have access to the full suite of TRICARE programs, including a unique managed care option available in the Northeast:

| Plan | Best For | | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active duty members and families near JB MDL or Picatinny with $0 out-of-pocket costs at military facilities. | | **TRICARE Select** | PPO-style plan for those who want to see any TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral. | | **US Family Health Plan (USFHP)** | A Prime option through **Saint Vincent’s HealthCare** in NJ. Offers the same benefits as Prime but through local civilian networks. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select** | Premium-based plan for qualified Selected Reserve members. | | **TRICARE For Life** | For retirees and spouses who are entitled to Medicare Part A and B. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | For adult children (ages 21–25) who have aged out of regular coverage. |

*Note: Group A and Group B beneficiaries have different enrollment fees and catastrophic caps. For 2026 rates, please check the official Humana Military or TRICARE.mil fee schedules.*

## Finding care in New Jersey Most care for Prime beneficiaries in central New Jersey is coordinated through the **87th Medical Group** at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

* **Provider Directory:** To find civilian specialists or Primary Care Managers (PCMs) in the East Region, use the [Humana Military Provider Search](https://www.humanamilitary.com/beneficiary/find-care). * **Network vs. Non-Network:** In high-cost areas like North Jersey (near NYC) or the Jersey Shore, ensure your provider is "In-Network" to avoid significantly higher cost-shares associated with TRICARE Select. * **Telehealth:** New Jersey residents have access to Doctor on Demand and Telemynd for behavioral health and urgent care needs without a referral for TRICARE Select users; Prime users may require an initial referral.

Common questions for New Jersey beneficiaries

**What happens if I am PCSing to JB MDL?** You should update your address in DEERS immediately upon arrival. Since NJ is in the East Region, if you are coming from a West Region state (like California or Texas), you must transition your enrollment from TriWest Healthcare Alliance to Humana Military.

**Can I use the US Family Health Plan (USFHP) in New Jersey?** Yes. USFHP is a popular alternative to TRICARE Prime for those living in NJ. In this state, it is administered by Saint Vincent’s HealthCare (part of the Brighton Marine network). If you enroll in USFHP, you cannot use military hospitals or clinics for primary care, and you must use the USFHP pharmacy network instead of Express Scripts.

**How does TRICARE work with NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid)?** TRICARE is always the primary payer before Medicaid. If you are eligible for both, TRICARE pays first, and NJ FamilyCare acts as the payer of last resort for any remaining covered expenses.

## Sources * TRICARE East Region Contractor: [Humana Military](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * Official Site: [TRICARE.mil](https://www.tricare.mil/) * Regional Information: [TRICARE East Region Map](https://www.tricare.mil/About/Regions) * US Family Health Plan: [USFHP.com](https://www.usfhp.com/)