TRICARE South Carolina: Shaw AFB and East Region Guide | TRICARE.com

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## TRICARE in South Carolina South Carolina is part of the **TRICARE East Region**. Under the current T-5 contract, the regional contractor is **Humana Military**, which manages the provider network and claims processing for the entire state. Beneficiaries across South Carolina, particularly those centered around major hubs like Columbia, Charleston, and Sumter, have access to a robust network of civilian providers complemented by military treatment facilities (MTFs).

## Major military installations South Carolina is home to several critical military installations representing multiple branches: * **Shaw Air Force Base** – Sumter (Air Force, 20th Fighter Wing) * **Joint Base Charleston** – Charleston/North Charleston (Air Force/Navy) * **Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island** – Beaufort (Marine Corps) * **Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort** – Beaufort (Marine Corps) * **Fort Jackson** – Columbia (Army, primary Initial Entry Training center) * **McEntire Joint National Guard Base** – Eastover (Air National Guard)

## Plans available in South Carolina South Carolina residents have access to the full suite of TRICARE plans. Note that **TRICARE Prime** availability is generally tied to "Prime Service Areas" (PSAs), which are usually within a 40-mile radius of a military base like Shaw or Fort Jackson.

| Plan Type | Eligibility / Best For | | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active duty and their families; lowest out-of-pocket costs; requires a Primary Care Manager (PCM). | | **TRICARE Select** | PPO-style plan; allows more freedom of choice for providers; yearly deductibles apply. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Qualified TRICARE Reserve and National Guard members. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** | For retired Reserve/Guard members under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** | Wrap-around coverage for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries (65+). | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Coverage for adult children up to age 26 who are not otherwise eligible. |

*Note: The **US Family Health Plan (USFHP)** is not currently available in South Carolina; this region is served exclusively by Humana Military.*

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

1. **Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs):** Those enrolled in TRICARE Prime at Shaw AFB will typically see a provider at the **20th Medical Group**. Similarly, those in Columbia utilize **Moncrief Army Health Clinic** at Fort Jackson. 2. **Civilian Network:** To find a civilian doctor in South Carolina, use the **Humana Military Provider Directory**. Using a "Network" provider instead of a "Non-Network" provider will significantly lower your 2026 cost-shares. 3. **Telehealth:** Humana Military offers robust telehealth options for South Carolina residents, including mental health services. This is particularly useful for families living in more rural areas of the state far from Shaw or Fort Jackson.

Common questions for South Carolina beneficiaries

**I am PCSing to Shaw AFB. How do I switch my coverage?** You should not switch your coverage until you have physically arrived at Shaw. Once you have a South Carolina address, you can update your "Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System" (DEERS) record and use the Humana Military self-service portal to transfer your Prime enrollment to the Shaw AFB Prime Service Area.

**Does South Carolina Medicaid work with TRICARE?** Yes. TRICARE is always the primary payer, and South Carolina Healthy Connections (Medicaid) is the payer of last resort. If you have both, your providers must bill TRICARE first.

**Can I see a specialist in Charleston if I live in Sumter?** If you are on TRICARE Prime, you need a referral from your PCM (typically at Shaw AFB or a local Sumter clinic) to see a specialist anywhere else. If you are on TRICARE Select, you can see any network specialist in the state without a referral, though your out-of-pocket costs will be higher.

## Sources * **Humana Military (East Region):** [humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com) * **TRICARE East Regional Info:** [tricare.mil/East](https://tricare.mil/East) * **Shaw AFB 20th Medical Group:** [shaw.tricare.mil](https://shaw.tricare.mil) * **Fort Jackson Moncrief Army Health Clinic:** [moncrief.tricare.mil](https://moncrief.tricare.mil)