TRICARE Vermont: Plans & Air National Guard Guide | TRICARE.com

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## TRICARE in Vermont Vermont is part of the **TRICARE East Region**. Comprehensive health care coverage for military members and their families in the Green Mountain State is managed by the regional contractor, **Humana Military**. While Vermont lacks a large active-duty presence, its robust National Guard community relies heavily on the TRICARE network across the state’s civilian hospital systems.

## Major military installations Vermont’s military presence is defined primarily by its National Guard units and recruitment missions. The primary installation is:

* **Vermont Air National Guard Base (South Burlington):** Home to the 158th Fighter Wing (the "Green Mountain Boys"), located at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. * **Camp Johnson (Colchester):** Headquarters for the Vermont National Guard and the Vermont Regional Training Institute. * **Ethan Allen Training Site (Jericho):** A major training area for the Army National Guard and the Army Mountain Warfare School. * **Army Aviation Support Facility (South Burlington):** Supports the state's rotary-wing mission.

## Plans available in Vermont Beneficiaries residing in Vermont can choose from several plans depending on their duty status and location.

| Plan | Eligibility | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active Duty, Family Members | Available primarily in Prime Service Areas (PSAs) near South Burlington/Burlington. | | **TRICARE Prime Remote** | Active Duty, Family Members | Available to those living and working in rural Vermont areas away from military installations. | | **TRICARE Select** | All beneficiaries | A PPO-style plan that allows more flexibility in choosing providers without a referral. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Qualified National Guard/Reserve | Most common plan for members of the Vermont Air National Guard. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** | Retired Reserve members | For "Gray Area" retirees under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life** | Medicare-eligible retirees | Wraparound coverage for those with Medicare Part A and B. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Qualified adult children | Available in both Prime and Select options for those up to age 26. |

*Note: The US Family Health Plan (USFHP) is generally not available in Vermont as it is outside the designated service areas for participating non-profit healthcare systems.*

## Finding care in Vermont Because Vermont has no major military treatment facilities (MTFs) with full inpatient capabilities, most TRICARE beneficiaries receive care through the civilian network.

1. **Provider Directory:** Use the Humana Military East Region provider search tool to find TRICARE-authorized doctors in cities like Burlington, Rutland, and Montpelier. 2. **Network vs. Non-Network:** Using a "Network" provider keeps out-of-pocket costs lower. In rural parts of the Northeast Kingdom, you may need to use non-network providers; ensure they are "TRICARE-authorized" to avoid being responsible for the entire bill. 3. **The University of Vermont (UVM) Medical Center:** As the state's largest healthcare provider, UVM Medical Center and its affiliates are the primary network nodes for TRICARE beneficiaries in the South Burlington area. 4. **Telehealth:** Humana Military offers robust telehealth options for Vermont residents, which is particularly useful during winter months or for those residing in remote mountain regions.

Common questions for Vermont beneficiaries

**Is the Vermont Air National Guard Base a full-service medical facility?** No. While there are medical administrative and readiness functions at the base in South Burlington, it is not a full-scale hospital. Most dependents and reservists utilize civilian network providers in the Burlington metro area.

**I am moving (PCS) from Vermont to a base in the West Region. What changes?** As of January 1, 2025, the TRICARE West Region is managed by **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**. You must update your address in DEERS and contact TriWest to enroll in a new plan in your destination state.

**How does TRICARE work with Vermont Medicaid (Green Mountain Care)?** TRICARE is always the primary payer to Medicaid. If you are eligible for both, TRICARE pays first and Medicaid acts as the payer of last resort.

## Sources * [Humana Military - East Region Home](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * [TRICARE.mil - Plan Finder](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/PlanFinder) * [Vermont National Guard Official Site](https://vt.public.ng.mil/) * [Express Scripts - TRICARE Pharmacy](https://www.express-scripts.com/tricare)