TRICARE Texas: NAS Corpus Christi & East Region Guide | TRICARE.com

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## TRICARE in Texas Texas is uniquely positioned within the **TRICARE East Region**, managed by the regional contractor **Humana Military**. Despite its geographic location in the southwest, the entire state falls under the East Region mandate, ensuring consistent benefits from El Paso to Houston. Effective January 1, 2025, while the West Region transitioned to TriWest, Texas remains firmly under Humana Military’s administration.

## Major military installations Texas hosts one of the largest military populations in the world. Key installations include:

* **NAS Corpus Christi:** Naval Air Station (Navy) - Corpus Christi * **Joint Base San Antonio (Fort Sam Houston, Lackland, Randolph):** Multiple Branches - San Antonio * **Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood):** Army - Killeen * **Fort Bliss:** Army - El Paso * **Dyess Air Force Base:** Air Force - Abilene * **Laughlin Air Force Base:** Air Force - Del Rio * **NAS Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth:** Navy/Joint - Fort Worth

## Plans available in Texas Texas residents have access to the full suite of TRICARE programs. Availability may depend on your proximity to a military hospital or clinic (like the Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi).

| Plan Type | Eligibility | | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Managed care option for active duty and retirees near military installations. | | **TRICARE Select** | PPO-style plan offering flexibility to see any network provider. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Premium-based plan for qualified Selected Reserve members. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** | Premium-based plan for retired National Guard/Reserve under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** | Medicare-wraparound coverage for those with Medicare Parts A & B. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Coverage for adult children up to age 26 who are not otherwise eligible. | | **US Family Health Plan (USFHP)** | Available in specific Texas ZIP codes through **CHRISTUS Health**. |

## Finding care in Texas For those stationed at **NAS Corpus Christi**, the primary point of care is the **Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi**. If you are enrolled in TRICARE Prime and are referred to civilian care, or if you use TRICARE Select, you should use the Humana Military Provider Directory to find "In-Network" providers to minimize out-of-pocket costs.

* **Network vs. Non-Network:** In Texas, using a Humana Military network provider ensures the contractor handles the claims and your 2026 copays remain at the scheduled rate. * **Telehealth:** TRICARE covers secure video conferencing for many services. In Texas, Humana Military partners with platforms like Doctor On Demand to provide 24/7 urgent care access without a referral for most plans (Active Duty Service Members always need a referral). * **USFHP Option:** Residents in the Corpus Christi and San Antonio areas may have the option to enroll in the US Family Health Plan via CHRISTUS Health, which provides TRICARE Prime benefits through a local civilian network rather than military clinics.

Common questions for Texas beneficiaries

**If I am moving (PCS) to NAS Corpus Christi, when should I update my enrollment?** You should update your address in DEERS immediately upon arrival. Since Texas is in the East Region, if you are coming from another East Region state (like Florida), you simply update your address. If you are moving from a West Region state (like California), you must perform a "region-to-region" enrollment transfer with Humana Military.

**Can I use TRICARE with Texas Medicaid?** Yes. TRICARE pays before Medicaid. Medicaid is always the payer of last resort for military families in Texas. If you have both, your civilian providers must bill TRICARE first.

**Where do I fill prescriptions near NAS Corpus Christi?** Prescriptions can be filled at the Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi pharmacy for $0. For off-base options, use an Express Scripts network pharmacy (like CVS, Walgreens, or HEB) or the TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery service.

## Sources * **Humana Military (East Region Contractor):** [humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * **TRICARE.mil Plan Finder:** [tricare.mil/plans](https://www.tricare.mil/plans) * **Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi:** [corpuschristi.tricare.mil](https://corpuschristi.tricare.mil/) * **Express Scripts Pharmacy:** [militaryrx.express-scripts.com](https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/)