TRICARE Video Resources & Telehealth Guide 2026 | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer TRICARE provides official video resources to help beneficiaries navigate their benefits, manage health records, and understand enrollment periods. These videos are primarily hosted on the official TRICARE YouTube channel and the websites of regional contractors, Humana Military (East) and TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West).

In detail

While TRICARE does not provide "entertainment" video content, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) maintains an extensive library of educational videos designed to simplify complex insurance topics. As of 2026, these resources are categorized into three main areas:

### 1. Educational and "How-To" Videos The most vital videos for beneficiaries are the step-by-step tutorials found on the **TRICARE Official YouTube Channel**. These cover: * **The TRICARE Open Season:** Explaining the annual window to change plans for 2026. * **Using the Patient Portal:** Navigating the MHS GENESIS system to view lab results or message doctors. * **Pharmacy Benefits:** How to use Express Scripts for home delivery and manage specialty medications. * **Qualifying Life Events (QLEs):** What to do when you get married, have a baby, or retire.

### 2. Regional Contractor Resources Each regional contractor provides specific video guidance tailored to their network and provider search tools: * **East Region (Humana Military):** Offers videos on how to file claims, check referral status, and use the Humana Military mobile app. * **West Region (TriWest Healthcare Alliance):** Since taking over the contract on January 1, 2025, TriWest has released a "Transition Suite" of videos to help beneficiaries formerly with HNFS understand the new West Region network and authorization processes.

### 3. Telehealth (Video Appointments) Video conferencing is the primary medium for TRICARE's telehealth services. * **TRICARE Prime:** Generally requires a referral for specialty telehealth but allows video visits with primary care managers (PCMs). * **TRICARE Select:** Allows video visits with any TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral. * **Costs:** For 2026, a TRICARE Select Group A retiree might pay a $38 copayment for a video specialist visit, while active duty family members on Prime often have a $0 copay for telehealth.

### Comparison of Video Resource Locations | Resource Type | Primary Source | Best For | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Policy Updates** | TRICARE.mil / YouTube | National changes, yearly rate updates | | **Claims/Referrals** | Humana (East) / TriWest (West) | Regional provider questions | | **Pharmacy** | Express Scripts | Mail-order setup and refills | | **Military Records** | MHS GENESIS | Lab results and health history |

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Service Members:** Use videos to learn about the TRICARE Prime Remote program and MHS GENESIS. * **Retirees:** Essential for understanding the transition to TRICARE For Life or managing 2026 enrollment fees. * **National Guard & Reserve:** Videos explain eligibility for TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) and the impact of activation on benefits. * **New Spouses:** Tutorial videos provide a roadmap for DEERS registration and plan selection.

Common scenarios

**Scenario 1: Navigating Open Season** In November 2025, Sarah, a TRICARE Select beneficiary, wants to see if switching to Prime for the 2026 plan year will save her money. She watches the "TRICARE Open Season" video on the DHA YouTube channel, which explains that as a Group A retiree family, her Select enrollment fee is $391.50/year (2026 rate). After the video, she uses the online plan comparison tool to make an informed choice.

**Scenario 2: Setting up Telehealth** Mark, a veteran in the West Region, needs a dermatology consult via video. He visits the TriWest Healthcare Alliance website to watch a 2-minute tutorial on how to use their "Find a Care" tool to filter for providers who offer "Virtual Visits," ensuring his 2026 copay remains within the network rate.

**Scenario 3: Learning Pharmacy Basics** Initial entry into the military can be overwhelming. A new recruit’s spouse watches the Express Scripts "Home Delivery" video to learn how to move maintenance medications from a retail pharmacy to mail-order, potentially saving the cost of several 2026 copayments.

## Related terms * **MHS GENESIS:** The new secure electronic health record portal used for viewing records and video messaging. * **DEERS:** The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System; the database that determines if you are eligible for TRICARE. * **Qualifying Life Event (QLE):** A certain change in your life, such as marriage or birth, that allows you to change TRICARE plans outside of Open Season. * **TRICARE East:** The region managed by Humana Military. * **TRICARE West:** The region managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance (effective Jan 1, 2025).

## Sources * **TRICARE Official YouTube:** https://www.youtube.com/user/TRICARE * **Humana Military (East):** https://www.humanamilitary.com/ * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West):** https://www.triwest.com/ * **TRICARE.mil Newsroom:** https://newsroom.tricare.mil/videos