North Carolina TRICARE Guide: Camp Lejeune & East Region | TRICARE.com

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## TRICARE in North Carolina North Carolina is part of the **TRICARE East Region**. Comprehensive health care services for beneficiaries in the state are managed by the regional contractor, **Humana Military**. Because North Carolina is home to several major installations like Camp Lejeune and Fort Liberty, the state has one of the largest networks of military treatment facilities (MTFs) and civilian TRICARE providers in the country.

## Major military installations North Carolina hosts a massive military footprint across various branches. Key installations include:

* **Camp Lejeune** (Marine Corps) – Jacksonville * **Fort Liberty** (Formerly Fort Bragg; Army) – Fayetteville * **MCAS Cherry Point** (Marine Corps) – Havelock * **MCAS New River** (Marine Corps) – Jacksonville * **Seymour Johnson AFB** (Air Force) – Goldsboro * **Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City** (Coast Guard) – Elizabeth City

## Plans available in North Carolina Beneficiaries across North Carolina, from the Outer Banks to the Blue Ridge Mountains, have access to the following 2026 TRICARE plans:

| Plan Type | Eligibility/Description | | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Managed care option; required for active duty; primary care usually at an MTF (like Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune). | | **TRICARE Select** | PPO-style plan; allows you to see any TRICARE-authorized provider (network or non-network) without a referral. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Premium-based plan for qualified Selected Reserve members and their families. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** | Premium-based plan for retired Reserve members under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** | Wrap-around coverage for those with Medicare Part A and B. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Option for adult children age 21–26 who are not otherwise eligible for their own employer insurance. |

*Note: The **US Family Health Plan (USFHP)** is not currently available in North Carolina; residents typically choose between Prime and Select.*

## Finding care in North Carolina Beneficiaries in North Carolina can find care through two primary avenues:

1. **Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs):** Those enrolled in TRICARE Prime near major bases will likely receive primary care at facilities such as **Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune** or **Womack Army Medical Center**. 2. **Civilian Network:** If you are using TRICARE Select or are a Prime enrollee with a referral for specialty care, you must use the **Humana Military Provider Directory** to find "In-Network" providers to keep out-of-pocket costs at their lowest 2026 rates.

**Telehealth:** North Carolina residents have robust access to telehealth via **Doctor On Demand** through Humana Military. Most urgent care and mental health visits via telehealth do not require a referral for TRICARE Select users, but Prime users should verify referral requirements for specialty mental health.

Common questions for North Carolina beneficiaries

**I am PCSing to Camp Lejeune. When should I update my TRICARE info?** You should update your address in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) as soon as you arrive. Because North Carolina is in the East Region, if you are moving from another East Region state (like Virginia), your coverage remains with Humana Military, but you will need to assign a new Primary Care Manager (PCM) at Camp Lejeune or a local civilian network provider.

**Does North Carolina Medicaid (NC Medicaid) work with TRICARE?** Yes. If you are eligible for both, TRICARE pays first and Medicaid is the payer of last resort. This is common for some families with special needs or lower-income retirees.

**What is the best pharmacy option in Jacksonville or Fayetteville?** While MTF pharmacies at Camp Lejeune or Fort Liberty offer $0 copays, they can have long wait times. For convenience, North Carolina residents can use **Express Scripts Home Delivery** or retail network pharmacies (like Walgreens or CVS), though 2026 retail copays will apply.

## Sources * Humana Military (TRICARE East Regional Contractor): [humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com) * Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune: [lejeune.tricare.mil](https://lejeune.tricare.mil) * TRICARE Official Site: [tricare.mil](https://www.tricare.mil) * Defense Health Agency: [health.mil](https://health.mil)