Tricare Health Insurance for Military Families

Complete guide to Tricare health insurance for military families living in Anne Arundel County near Fort Meade and Naval Academy

Tricare Health Insurance for Military Families

If you’re military or a military family member living in Anne Arundel County, Tricare provides your health insurance. This guide covers your options near Fort Meade, Naval Academy, and Joint Base Andrews.

Tricare Options

Tricare Prime

Best For: Active duty service members and families

Features:

  • No monthly premium (for service members)
  • $0-200 per person annual enrollment fee (for families)
  • Choose primary care manager (PCM)
  • Referrals needed for specialists
  • Low copays for care
  • Comprehensive coverage

Enrollment:

  • Automatic for active duty
  • Enroll through milConnect website
  • Choose PCM from network providers
  • Can change PCM once per year

Tricare Select

Best For: Reserve members, National Guard, some retirees

Features:

  • No monthly premium
  • Deductible and coinsurance
  • No referral needed for specialists
  • More flexibility in providers
  • Higher out-of-pocket costs than Prime

Enrollment:

  • Must enroll online
  • Pay enrollment fee if applicable
  • Choose providers from network
  • Can see any Tricare-authorized provider

Tricare for Life

Best For: Military retirees age 65+

Features:

  • Supplemental to Medicare
  • No additional premium
  • Medicare pays first, Tricare pays second
  • No network restrictions
  • Minimal out-of-pocket costs

Eligibility:

  • Must have Medicare Part A and B
  • Must be enrolled in Tricare
  • Automatic enrollment for some

Tricare Reserve Select

Best For: Selected Reserve members

Features:

  • Monthly premium
  • Similar to Tricare Select
  • No enrollment fee
  • Coverage when on active duty orders

Tricare Young Adult

Best For: Adult children ages 23-26

Features:

  • Monthly premium
  • Extended coverage beyond age 21
  • Similar benefits to Tricare Select

Anne Arundel County Tricare Providers

Network Providers

Major Systems with Tricare Networks:

  • Anne Arundel Medical Center - Full Tricare network
  • MedStar Health - Participating providers
  • Holy Cross Health - Tricare network
  • Various private practices

Finding Providers:

  • Use Tricare provider finder online
  • Verify network status before visit
  • Some providers accept Tricare only
  • Call office to confirm

Tricare East Regional Office

Covers: Maryland, Delaware, DC, and surrounding areas
Phone: 1-800-645-8299
Website: www.tricare.mil

Services:

  • Claim questions
  • Network provider info
  • Enrollment help
  • Coverage questions

Using Tricare in Anne Arundel

Routine Care

Primary Care:

  • Choose PCM from network
  • Annual physical included
  • Preventive care covered
  • Routine labs and tests

Specialist Care:

  • Prime needs referral from PCM
  • Select doesn’t need referral
  • Authorization may be required for some services
  • Ask about prior authorization

Emergency Care

24/7 Coverage:

  • Go to nearest emergency room
  • AAMC handles most military emergencies
  • Call Tricare if stable to discuss facility

Authorization:

  • Emergency services don’t need pre-authorization
  • Follow-up care may need authorization
  • Contact Tricare within timeframe if required

Prescriptions

Pharmacy Benefits:

  • Military pharmacy (Tricare Pharmacy) - lowest cost
  • Retail pharmacy network - moderate cost
  • Mail-order available
  • Generic drugs preferred

Copays:

  • Varies by plan and pharmacy type
  • Generic vs brand name pricing
  • 90-day supply discounts

Mental Health Services

Covered Services:

  • Individual counseling
  • Family therapy
  • Psychiatric services
  • Substance abuse treatment

Access:

  • Tricare network mental health providers
  • Some require referral
  • Crisis services covered

Fort Meade & Naval Academy Area

Military Treatment Facilities

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth:

  • Near Norfolk, VA
  • Military hospital
  • Some Anne Arundel families use this facility

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center:

  • Bethesda, MD
  • Major military hospital
  • Complex cases referred here

Military Health Services

Fort Meade Clinic:

  • Basic primary care for service members
  • Some specialty services
  • Referrals to civilian network for others

Naval Academy Health Services:

  • For midshipmen
  • Basic care available
  • Referrals to civilian network

Deployments & Temporary Duty

Coverage During Deployment

Active Duty Deployed:

  • Tricare continues
  • Family maintains coverage
  • Some benefits may change
  • Keep enrollment current

Family Member Coverage:

  • Continues during deployment
  • No additional premium
  • Access to military treatment facilities
  • Use civilian network if needed

Temporary Duty (TDY)

Traveling for Duty:

  • Tricare covers care while TDY
  • Use network providers when possible
  • Keep receipts for claims
  • Some areas may have limited network

Claims & Billing

Filing Claims

When to File:

  • Out-of-network care
  • Emergency care outside coverage area
  • Reimbursement for paid claims
  • Some situations require member filing

How to File:

  • Online through milConnect
  • Mail claim forms
  • Some providers file automatically
  • Keep all documentation

Billing Questions

If Charged Incorrectly:

  • Contact provider billing office first
  • Then contact Tricare
  • Keep records of all communications
  • Dispute charges in writing

Special Programs

Tricare Remote

For Remote Locations:

  • Special provisions for isolated areas
  • Different cost-sharing rules
  • Check eligibility if far from facilities

Tricare Prime Remote

For Active Duty in Remote Areas:

  • Special Prime options
  • Different enrollment rules
  • Check current policies

Tricare Standard Programs

Active Duty Family Members:

  • Can choose Prime or Select
  • Prime usually recommended for cost
  • Select for more flexibility

Costs & Out-of-Pocket

Prime Costs

Active Duty Members:

  • No premium
  • Enrollment fee waived
  • Low or no copays

Family Members:

  • Annual enrollment fee ($200 individual, $400 family)
  • Copays for visits ($0-30 typically)
  • Out-of-pocket maximum applies

Select Costs

Deductibles:

  • Individual deductible varies
  • Family deductible higher
  • Reset annually

Coinsurance:

  • After deductible, pay percentage
  • Tricare pays rest
  • Out-of-pocket max protects you

Prescription Costs

Network Pharmacy:

  • Generic: $5-15
  • Preferred brand: $15-35
  • Non-preferred: $35-55

Mail Order:

  • 90-day supply discounts
  • Same tiers as retail
  • Convenient for maintenance meds

Important Contacts

Tricare East

Phone: 1-800-645-8299
Hours: Monday-Friday 7 AM - 7 PM ET
Website: www.tricare.mil

milConnect

Website: www.milconnect.mil
Services:

  • Enroll in plans
  • View coverage
  • File claims
  • Update personal info

Fort Meade Medical Treatment Facility

Phone: 410-803-6000
Website: www.tricare.mil/locations/maryland/fort-meade

Phone: 410-293-5462

Tips for Tricare Users

  1. Choose PCM carefully - This doctor coordinates your care
  2. Know your plan - Understand what’s covered and costs
  3. Use network providers - Saves money significantly
  4. Get referrals when needed - Prime requires them for specialists
  5. Keep documentation - Save all records and receipts
  6. Update contact info - Keep Tricare informed of changes
  7. Ask about prior authorization - Some services need approval first
  8. Use mail order - Often cheaper for maintenance medications

Common Questions

Can I see any doctor?

Prime: Must use network, except emergencies
Select: Can see any Tricare-authorized provider
For Life: Any provider accepting Medicare

What if I move?

Update address immediately - Tricare has regional offices
New PCM required - Choose from new area network
Coverage continues - No gap in coverage

How do I change plans?

Open enrollment periods - Annual window
Qualifying life events - Marriage, birth, move, etc.
Request through milConnect

For more military info:

Official Military Resources

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Official VA Website

Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs

State VA Resources

Defense Manpower Data Center

DEERS and ID Cards

U.S. Department of Defense

Official DOD Site

Tricare

Military Health Care

Last updated: May 2026

Last updated: May 2026