TRICARE West Virginia Guide: 167th Airlift Wing & More | TRICARE.com

*Disclosure: 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 up-to-date data, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## TRICARE in West Virginia West Virginia is located in the **TRICARE East Region**. Comprehensive medical coverage for beneficiaries in the Mountain State is managed by the regional contractor, **Humana Military**. Prior to 2025, the region was managed by Humana, and they continue to oversee the network under the current T-5 contract cycle.

## Major Military Installations in West Virginia While West Virginia does not host a large active-duty Army or Navy installation, it is home to critical National Guard and Reserve hubs:

* **167th Airlift Wing (Martinsburg):** An Air National Guard base and a primary focal point for TRICARE beneficiaries in the Eastern Panhandle. * **130th Airlift Wing (Charleston):** Home to the West Virginia Air National Guard’s McLaughlin Air National Guard Base. * **Camp Dawson (Kingwood):** A major training site for the West Virginia Army National Guard. * **Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) - Sugar Grove:** Located in Pendleton County.

## Plans Available in West Virginia Beneficiaries in West Virginia have access to most standard TRICARE programs. Availability often depends on your proximity to a "Prime Service Area" (PSA), which are typically located within 40 miles of a military installation or in specific high-population areas.

| Plan | Best For | | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active duty and their families in PSAs (like Martinsburg or Charleston). Lowest out-of-pocket costs. | | **TRICARE Select** | Those who want to choose their own doctors and don't mind higher deductibles. No referrals required. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Qualified National Guard and Reserve members (including the 167th Airlift Wing). | | **TRICARE For Life** | Medicare-wraparound coverage for military retirees and their spouses. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve** | Non-activated Reserve members who are under age 60. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Adult children (up to age 26) who have aged out of regular coverage. |

*Note: The US Family Health Plan (USFHP) is generally not available in West Virginia, as it operates through specific designated providers in other regions.*

## Finding Care in West Virginia Because many West Virginia beneficiaries are National Guard members or live in rural areas, finding a network provider is essential to keeping costs low.

1. **Provider Directory:** Use the **Humana Military East Region Provider Directory** to search for "network" providers. Using a network provider means lower 2026 cost-shares and no need to file your own claims. 2. **167th Airlift Wing Support:** Beneficiaries near Martinsburg often utilize the 167th's medical group for readiness requirements, but civilian care is managed through the Humana network. 3. **Out-of-State Care:** Many residents in the Eastern Panhandle may find it more convenient to see specialists in Winchester, VA, or Hagerstown, MD. Because these are also in the East Region, the transition is seamless. 4. **Telehealth:** TRICARE covers secure video conferencing with doctors. This is a vital resource for West Virginia residents in mountainous or remote regions where the nearest specialist may be hours away.

Common Questions for West Virginia Beneficiaries

**I am a member of the 167th Airlift Wing; can I use the VA hospital in Martinsburg?** While the Martinsburg VA Medical Center is a major facility, TRICARE and VA benefits are separate. Active National Guard members on TRICARE Reserve Select generally use civilian network providers. Only those with specific VA eligibility can use the VA hospital for routine care.

**What happens if I move from West Virginia to the West Region?** If you move to a state in the West Region (e.g., Ohio is just across the border but remains in the East, while states further west are regulated by TriWest), you must update your address in DEERS. Since Jan 1, 2025, **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** is the contractor for the West Region. Your coverage won't stop, but you will need to select a new primary care manager (PCM) under the TriWest network.

**Does West Virginia Medicaid work with TRICARE?** Yes. If you have both, TRICARE pays first and Medicaid is the "payer of last resort." This is common for families with special needs or certain income-qualified National Guard households.

## Sources * TRICARE Official Site: [tricare.mil](https://www.tricare.mil) * Humana Military (East Region): [humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com) * 167th Airlift Wing Official Site: [167aw.ang.af.mil](https://www.167aw.ang.af.mil) * Defense Health Agency (DHA): [health.mil](https://www.health.mil)