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.

General

Question	Answer
As a TRICARE provider, do I need to do anything?	The new West Region contract does not change the existing TRICARE benefit or how TRICARE beneficiaries currently get care. We are proud to continue partnering with you to serve military families throughout the remainder of our TRICARE contract. (Refer to the “Provider Network” section for questions about joining the TriWest network.)
Do my TRICARE patients need to do anything?	TRICARE beneficiaries do not need to take any actions at this time. The new West Region contract does not change the TRICARE benefit or how beneficiaries currently get care. The Defense Health Agency (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 beneficiaries may need to take so their TRICARE benefits continue seamlessly. DHA encourages beneficiaries to check the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to confirm all their information is current. This will help ensure they don’t miss important communications about their TRICARE benefit.
How will updates about this transition be communicated to beneficiaries and providers?	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 beneficiaries may need to take so their 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 provider, do I need to do anything?

The new West Region contract does not change the existing TRICARE benefit or how TRICARE beneficiaries currently get care. We are proud to continue partnering with you to serve military families throughout the remainder of our TRICARE contract. (Refer to the “Provider Network” section for questions about joining the TriWest network.)

Do my TRICARE patients need to do anything?

TRICARE beneficiaries do not need to take any actions at this time. The new West Region contract does not change the TRICARE benefit or how beneficiaries currently get care. The Defense Health Agency (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 beneficiaries may need to take so their TRICARE benefits continue seamlessly.

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

How will updates about this transition be communicated to beneficiaries and providers?

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 beneficiaries may need to take so their 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.

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. Providers who have an established patient/provider relationship may choose to individually notify beneficiaries about their network status.
How can providers stay within the West Region network?	Providers will need to contact TriWest about joining TriWest’s West Region network.
Will my network contract with HNFS automatically transfer to TriWest?	No. Providers will need to contact TriWest about joining TriWest’s West Region network.

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’s already scheduled for my TRICARE patients?	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 we be able to verify which doctors will be in TriWest's West Region network?	TriWest will publish its West Region Provider Directory by Nov. 2, 2024.
Will beneficiaries pay higher costs to remain with their current doctors?	Beneficiary out-of-pocket costs will depend on the TRICARE plan they are enrolled in and whether their provider chooses to remain a TRICARE provider as a network, non-network/participating, or non-network/non-participating provider.

Enrollment

Question	Answer
Will beneficiaries have to re-enroll for their benefits?	No. TRICARE beneficiaries who are currently eligible for and enrolled in a TRICARE plan should experience no interruption in TRICARE coverage. Beneficiaries 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 beneficiaries to check DEERS to confirm all their information is current.

Question

Answer

Will beneficiaries have to re-enroll for their benefits?

No. TRICARE beneficiaries who are currently eligible for and enrolled in a TRICARE plan should experience no interruption in TRICARE coverage. Beneficiaries 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 beneficiaries to check DEERS to confirm all their information is current.

Last updated: May 23, 2024