TRICARE Washington: Naval Base Kitsap & West Region Guide

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or a government agency. For official policy and the most current data, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## TRICARE in Washington Washington is part of the **TRICARE West Region**. As of January 1, 2025, the regional contractor is **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**, which replaced Health Net Federal Services (HNFS). Beneficiaries in the Pacific Northwest, particularly around the Puget Sound and Naval Base Kitsap, have access to a robust network of military treatment facilities (MTFs) and civilian providers.

## Major military installations Washington is home to several critical military hubs, with a heavy concentration of naval and joint-service activity: * **Naval Base Kitsap (NBK):** Navy - Bremerton and Bangor (Silverdale) * **Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM):** Army/Air Force - Tacoma * **Naval Air Station Whidbey Island:** Navy - Oak Harbor * **Naval Station Everett:** Navy - Everett * **Fairchild Air Force Base:** Air Force - Spokane * **Coast Guard Base Seattle:** Coast Guard - Seattle

## Naval Base Kitsap Focus Naval Base Kitsap is one of the most complex naval installations in the world, spanning multiple locations including Bremerton, Bangor, Keyport, and Jackson Park.

For TRICARE beneficiaries at NBK, primary care is centered at **Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB)**. If you are enrolled in TRICARE Prime and live in a Prime Service Area (PSA) near Kitsap, you will likely be assigned a Primary Care Manager (PCM) at the Naval Hospital or one of its branch clinics (Bangor or Everett). Specialty care not available at NBK is often referred to Madigan Army Medical Center at JBLM or civilian network providers in the Kitsap County area.

## Plans available in Washington Residents of Washington have access to the full suite of TRICARE programs, including a unique managed care option in the Puget Sound area:

| Plan | Eligibility | Note | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active duty, retirees, and families | Managed care with an assigned PCM. | | **TRICARE Select** | Active duty families and retirees | PPO-style plan with more provider flexibility. | | **US Family Health Plan (USFHP)** | Families and retirees | Offered through **Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed)** in the Puget Sound region. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select** | Qualified Guard/Reserve | Premium-based health plan for TRICARE West. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve** | Retired Guard/Reserve under age 60 | Premium-based coverage. | | **TRICARE For Life** | Medicare-eligible retirees | Wraparound coverage for Medicare Part A and B. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Unmarried children ages 21–25 | Available in Prime or Select formats. |

## Finding care in Washington For those not seen at Naval Hospital Bremerton, finding a civilian provider is managed through **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**. * **Provider Directory:** Use the TriWest West Region provider search tool to find "Network" providers. Using network providers results in lower out-of-pocket costs (2026 rates apply). * **Specialty Care:** If you are on TRICARE Prime, you must obtain a referral from your PCM for any specialty care. * **Telehealth:** TriWest offers a robust telehealth network for Washington residents, which is particularly useful for those living on the Olympic Peninsula or Whidbey Island where travel to major MTFs can be difficult. * **Point of Service:** Remember that using a non-network provider without a referral (on Prime) will result in significantly higher "Point of Service" deductibles and cost-shares.

Common questions for Washington beneficiaries

**Does Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) work with TRICARE?** Yes, but TRICARE is always the primary payer. If you are eligible for both TRICARE and Washington Apple Health, TRICARE pays first, and Medicaid is the payer of last resort.

**How do I transfer my care when PCSing to Naval Base Kitsap?** Do not cancel your current coverage. Once you arrive in Washington, update your address in DEERS. Then, contact TriWest Healthcare Alliance to transfer your enrollment to the West Region and request a PCM at Naval Hospital Bremerton or a local civilian clinic.

**Can I use the US Family Health Plan at Naval Base Kitsap?** While USFHP (via PacMed) is available in the Puget Sound area, it is a separate program from TRICARE Prime. If you enroll in USFHP, you receive all your care through the PacMed network and cannot use Naval Hospital Bremerton for routine primary care or pharmacy services (except in emergencies).

## Sources * TRICARE West Region Official Site: [triwest.com](https://www.triwest.com) * Naval Hospital Bremerton: [bremerton.tricare.mil](https://bremerton.tricare.mil) * US Family Health Plan (PacMed): [usfhpnw.org](https://www.usfhpnw.org) * TRICARE Plan Finder: [tricare.mil/Plans/PlanFinder](https://tricare.mil/Plans/PlanFinder)