TRICARE North Carolina: MCAS Cherry Point & State Guide | 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 this state are managed by the regional contractor, **Humana Military**. With a massive military presence ranging from the coast to the Piedmont, North Carolina offers an extensive network of both military treatment facilities (MTFs) and civilian network providers.

## Major military installations North Carolina is home to some of the largest and most strategically important bases in the United States. Key installations include:

* **MCAS Cherry Point (Marine Corps):** Located in Havelock, home to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. * **Fort Liberty (Army):** Formerly Fort Bragg, located near Fayetteville; one of the largest military installations in the world. * **MCB Camp Lejeune (Marine Corps):** Located in Jacksonville; a major amphibious training base. * **Seymour Johnson AFB (Air Force):** Located in Goldsboro; home to the 4th Fighter Wing. * **MCAS New River (Marine Corps):** Located in Jacksonville, specializing in rotary-wing and tilt-rotor aircraft. * **Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City:** Located in the northeastern part of the state.

## Plans available in North Carolina Most North Carolina residents have access to the full suite of TRICARE programs. Eligibility is generally based on beneficiary status (active duty, retiree, or family member) and location.

| Plan | Best For... | | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Managed care with a Primary Care Manager (PCM), usually at an MTF like Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune. | | **TRICARE Select** | PPO-style plan offering the most flexibility to see civilian providers without a referral. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select** | Qualified members of the Selected Reserve and their families. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve** | Qualified retired Reserve members under age 60 and their families. | | **TRICARE For Life** | Medicare-wraparound coverage for retirees age 65+ with Medicare Parts A and B. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Unmarried children (ages 21–26) who are no longer eligible for regular TRICARE. |

*Note: The US Family Health Plan (USFHP) is generally not available in North Carolina as the state falls outside the designated USFHP service areas.*

## Finding care in North Carolina For those stationed at **MCAS Cherry Point**, primary care is typically managed through the **Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point**. If you are enrolled in TRICARE Prime and the clinic cannot provide the necessary service, you will receive a referral to a civilian specialist in the Havelock, Morehead City, or New Bern area.

To find civilian care across North Carolina: 1. **Use the Humana Military Provider Directory:** Search the online portal to ensure a provider is "In-Network" to minimize out-of-pocket costs (2026 rates apply). 2. **Network vs. Non-Network:** Using a network provider means the doctor has an agreement with Humana Military. If you use a non-network provider, your cost-shares will be higher, and you may have to file your own claims. 3. **Telehealth:** TRICARE covers secure video conferencing for many services. In North Carolina, Humana Military partners with several national telehealth platforms to provide 24/7 urgent care and mental health visits.

Common questions for North Carolina beneficiaries

**I am PCSing from a West Region base to MCAS Cherry Point. What do I do?** Since you are moving from the West (TriWest) to the East (Humana Military), you must update your address in DEERS and then contact Humana Military to enroll in a North Carolina-based plan. Your coverage does not automatically transfer between regions.

**Can I use the Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune if I live near Cherry Point?** Yes, depending on capacity and your enrollment status. While Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point is the primary facility for the air station, larger specialized procedures are often referred to the full-scale hospital at Camp Lejeune.

**Does North Carolina Medicaid (NC Medicaid) work with TRICARE?** Yes. By law, TRICARE is the primary payer and Medicaid is the payer of last resort. If you have both, your providers should bill TRICARE first.

## Sources * **Humana Military (East Region Contractor):** [humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com) * **TRICARE.mil Plan Finder:** [tricare.mil/Plans/PlanFinder](https://tricare.mil/Plans/PlanFinder) * **Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point:** [cherrypoint.tricare.mil](https://cherrypoint.tricare.mil) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [health.mil](https://health.mil)