TRICARE West Region Contract Transition: Frequently Asked Questions

A new TRICARE West Region contract is currently scheduled to start Jan. 1, 2025. With this, the West Region contractor will change from Health Net Federal Services, LLC (HNFS) to TriWest Healthcare Alliance (TriWest). HNFS is honored to provide exceptional service under the current West Region contract, and we will continue to do so throughout the transition period and remainder of our contract.

Find addtional FAQs at https://tricare.mil/FAQs (Contract Transition section).

General

Question	Answer
As a TRICARE beneficiary, do I need to do anything?	You do not need to take any actions at this time. The new West Region contract does not change the TRICARE benefit or how you currently get care. The Defense Health Agency (DHA) and TRICARE regional contractors have a variety of communications planned throughout the year to explain how the transition will occur and any action you may need to take so your TRICARE benefits continue seamlessly. DHA encourages you to check your Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) record to confirm all your information is current. This will help ensure you don’t miss important communications about your TRICARE benefit.
How will updates about this transition be communicated to me?	DHA and the TRICARE regional contractors have a variety of communications planned throughout the year to explain how the transition will occur and any action you may need to take so your TRICARE benefits continue seamlessly. Go to www.tricare.mil/changes to sign up for email alerts from TRICARE and find the latest information on the transition. We will post West Region-specific transition details at www.tricare-west.com. Also, look for information in our newsletters and email blasts.

Question

Answer

As a TRICARE beneficiary, do I need to do anything?

You do not need to take any actions at this time. The new West Region contract does not change the TRICARE benefit or how you currently get care. The Defense Health Agency (DHA) and TRICARE regional contractors have a variety of communications planned throughout the year to explain how the transition will occur and any action you may need to take so your TRICARE benefits continue seamlessly.

DHA encourages you to check your Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) record to confirm all your information is current. This will help ensure you don’t miss important communications about your TRICARE benefit.

How will updates about this transition be communicated to me?

DHA and the TRICARE regional contractors have a variety of communications planned throughout the year to explain how the transition will occur and any action you may need to take so your TRICARE benefits continue seamlessly. Go to www.tricare.mil/changes to sign up for email alerts from TRICARE and find the latest information on the transition.

We will post West Region-specific transition details at www.tricare-west.com. Also, look for information in our newsletters and email blasts.

Continuity of Care

Question	Answer
What is HNFS’ role in ensuring continuity of care?	HNFS is fully committed to providing exceptional health care during the remainder of our contract. Our focus remains making sure our contractual obligations for transition-out activities run smoothly.
How will this impact care that I've already scheduled?	HNFS-approved referrals and authorizations in effect at the end of health care delivery under HNFS will be honored by TriWest throughout the length of the referral or authorization.
When will I be able to verify whether my doctors will be part of TriWest’s West Region network?	TriWest will publish its West Region Provider Directory by Nov. 2, 2024.
Will I have to pay higher costs to remain with my current doctors?	Your out-of-pocket costs will depend on the TRICARE plan you’re enrolled in and whether your provider chooses to remain a TRICARE provider as a network, non-network/participating, or non-network/non-participating provider.

Enrollment

Question	Answer
Will I have to re-enroll for my benefits?	No. If you are currently eligible for and enrolled in a TRICARE plan, you should experience no interruption in TRICARE coverage. You will have the option to make enrollment changes during the next TRICARE Open Season, with plan changes taking effect Jan. 1, 2025. TriWest will manage this Open Season. DHA encourages you to check your DEERS record to confirm all your information is current. This will help ensure you don’t miss important communications about your TRICARE benefit.
Will I have to set up new enrollment payment method with the new contractor?	Yes, but there are no actions for you to take now. DHA will keep you updated throughout the transition period and will alert you if and when action is necessary.
When will I get a new wallet card?	TRICARE offers printable Contact Wallet Cards at milConnect for you to download. DHA will be updating this resource, along will other downloadable materials, by January 2025.

Question

Answer

Will I have to re-enroll for my benefits?

No. If you are currently eligible for and enrolled in a TRICARE plan, you should experience no interruption in TRICARE coverage. You will have the option to make enrollment changes during the next TRICARE Open Season, with plan changes taking effect Jan. 1, 2025. TriWest will manage this Open Season.

DHA encourages you to check your DEERS record to confirm all your information is current. This will help ensure you don’t miss important communications about your TRICARE benefit.

Will I have to set up new enrollment payment method with the new contractor?

Yes, but there are no actions for you to take now. DHA will keep you updated throughout the transition period and will alert you if and when action is necessary.

When will I get a new wallet card?

TRICARE offers printable Contact Wallet Cards at milConnect for you to download. DHA will be updating this resource, along will other downloadable materials, by January 2025.

Provider Network

Question	Answer
Will West Region beneficiaries be able to stay with their current providers?	TriWest will publish online its West Region Provider Directory by Nov. 2, 2024. You will be able to review this provider directory to determine if your provider will remain a TRICARE network provider. Providers with whom you have an established patient/provider relationship may individually notify you about their network status.

Last updated: May 31, 2024