TRICARE South Carolina: JB Charleston & East Region Guide

*Disclaimer: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or affiliated with the Department of Defense. For official policy and the most current data, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## TRICARE in South Carolina South Carolina is part of the **TRICARE East Region**. Since January 1, 2025, health care services for South Carolina beneficiaries have been managed by **Humana Military** under the T-5 contract. The state is a high-density military area, particularly around the Lowcountry and Midlands, meaning residents typically have access to a robust network of civilian providers alongside military treatment facilities.

## Major military installations While TRICARE beneficiaries live throughout the state, the largest concentrations of care revolve around these major hubs:

* **Joint Base Charleston:** Air Force/Navy (Charleston/North Charleston) * **Fort Jackson:** Army (Columbia) * **Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island:** Marine Corps (Beaufort) * **Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort:** Marine Corps (Beaufort) * **Shaw Air Force Base:** Air Force (Sumter) * **McEntire Joint National Guard Base:** Air National Guard (Eastover)

## Plans available in South Carolina The following plans are available to South Carolina service members, retirees, and their families:

| Plan Type | Eligibility/Description | | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Managed care option; required for active duty, available for families and retirees in Prime Service Areas (PSAs) like Charleston and Columbia. | | **TRICARE Select** | PPO-style plan with higher out-of-pocket costs but maximum flexibility in choosing providers without a referral. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Premium-based plan for qualified members of the Selected Reserve. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** | Premium-based plan for retired National Guard and 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 who have aged out of regular coverage but are under age 26. |

*Note: There is currently no US Family Health Plan (USFHP) provider located in South Carolina.*

## Finding care in South Carolina Beneficiaries in South Carolina can receive care through Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) or the civilian network.

1. **Direct Care:** Within the Charleston area, the **628th Medical Group** at JB Charleston provides primary care. For more complex needs, beneficiaries are often referred to the **Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center** (via a resource-sharing agreement) or civilian partners like **MUSC Health**. 2. **Civilian Network:** To find a network doctor, use the **Humana Military Provider Directory**. Using "In-Network" providers ensures you pay the 2026 negotiated rates and lower copays. 3. **Telehealth:** Humana Military offers robust telehealth options through Doctor On Demand and other network providers, which is particularly useful for beneficiaries in rural SC counties where specialty care is limited. 4. **Pharmacy:** While MTF pharmacies offer $0 copays, civilian retail prescriptions are managed by **Express Scripts**.

Common questions for South Carolina beneficiaries

**I am PCSing to JB Charleston. How do I switch my coverage?** You must update your address in DEERS first. Once settled, you can transfer your TRICARE Prime enrollment to the East Region via the Humana Military portal or by calling 1-800-444-5445. Because Charleston is a Prime Service Area, you will likely be assigned a Primary Care Manager (PCM) at the 628th Medical Group.

**Does South Carolina Medicaid work with TRICARE?** Yes. If you are "dual-eligible" for TRICARE and South Carolina Healthy Connections (Medicaid), TRICARE always pays first. Medicaid is the payer of last resort.

**Can I see a specialist in Columbia if I live in Charleston?** If you are on TRICARE Select, you can see any network specialist without a referral. If you are on TRICARE Prime, your PCM must submit a referral to Humana Military. While you can request a specific specialist in Columbia (such as at Prisma Health), travel costs are generally not reimbursed unless the care is unavailable closer to home.

## Sources * **TRICARE East Region Contractor:** [HumanaMilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com) * **Official TRICARE Plan Finder:** [TRICARE.mil/Plans](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans) * **Joint Base Charleston Medical Services:** [Charleston.tricare.mil](https://charleston.tricare.mil) * **Defense Manpower Data Center (DEERS):** [idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/](https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/)