TRICARE East Customer Service: Phone, Claims, and Portal Guide

TRICARE East Customer Service: Phone, Claims, and Support Guide

TRICARE East customer service is provided by Humana Military. Call 800-444-5445, open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET and CT, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. You can also use the East Region beneficiary self-service portal at tricare.mil/east for referrals, claims, and enrollment. Claims are mailed to TRICARE East Region Claims, P.O. Box 202146, Florence, SC 29502-2146.

What Is TRICARE East?

TRICARE East is one of two TRICARE regions in the United States. It covers 33 states plus the District of Columbia and is administered by Humana Military under a contract with the Defense Health Agency (DHA). The other stateside region is TRICARE West, administered by TriWest Healthcare Alliance. As of January 1, 2025, Humana Military retained the TRICARE East Region contract under the next generation of Managed Care Support Contracts (T-5). The T-5 contract for TRICARE East is valued at $7.34 billion.

TRICARE East covers the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (partial), Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin (partial), and the District of Columbia.

Important note on ZIP codes. Some ZIP codes in Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin are split between the East and West regions. Before contacting Humana Military, verify your region using the “What’s my TRICARE region?” tool at tricare.mil/About/Regions by entering your ZIP code.

TRICARE East vs. West: Contact Comparison

TRICARE East Customer Service Phone Numbers

The main TRICARE East customer service number is 800-444-5445. This line handles general questions about benefits, enrollment, referrals, claims, authorizations, and provider network issues. The call center operates 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET and CT, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

Here is a complete directory of TRICARE East and related customer service numbers:

Important note. The Nurse Advice Line at 800-TRICARE (800-874-2273), option 1, is available 24/7 and can help you decide whether you need emergency care, urgent care, or a routine appointment. This is a separate service from the Humana Military general customer service line.

TRICARE East Beneficiary Self-Service Portal

The TRICARE East Region beneficiary self-service portal is the fastest way to manage your health care without calling. Access it at tricare.mil/east and select the “Log in” or “Register for an account” link. You can also go directly to the Humana Military beneficiary portal at infocenter.humana-military.com/bene/service/Account/Login[reference:5].

What you can do in the portal:

• Referrals and authorizations. Check your referral and authorization status, view, and print referral letters.

• Claims. Check the status of your claims, view your Explanation of Benefits (EOBs), and ask questions about your claims.

• Eligibility. Verify your eligibility and keep your DEERS information current.

• Billing and payments. Pay your current bill and view your billing summary.

• Communication preferences. Add or change your email address and phone number, opt in for text alerts, and manage your communication preferences.

• Secure messaging and chat. Chat with customer service representatives Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or send a secure message anytime, 24/7.

How to register for the beneficiary portal:

1. Go to tricare.mil/east and select the “Log in” or “Register for an account” link.

2. If you have a DS Logon or can get one, you must use it to access self-service and the mobile app. If you can’t get a DS Logon, register for an account with TRICARE East.

3. You will need your sponsor’s ID to register.

4. Choose a User ID and enter your email address.

5. Complete the registration process and set up your account.

myAuth transition. Starting in 2026, the TRICARE East beneficiary portal is transitioning to myAuth. With DS Logon sunsetting by the end of fiscal year 2026, each of the platforms that support your TRICARE benefit will switch from DS Logon to myAuth. milConnect and ID Card Office Online have already made this switch. With myAuth, you can log in with a Common Access Card (CAC), a username/password plus multi-factor authentication, or Okta Verify.

Tip for faster navigation. The portal works best with Chrome or Microsoft Edge browsers. If you experience login issues, clear your browser cache and cookies, or try using a private/incognito window.

TRICARE East Mobile App

The TRICARE East mobile app allows you to manage your health care from your smartphone or tablet. The newly rebranded app lets you view the details of your claims, referral and authorization status including provider information and associated dates, and view, print, share, and email your Explanation of Benefits (EOB).

Key mobile app features:

• View claims and referral/authorization status

• View, print, share, and email EOBs

• View eligibility, Primary Care Manager (PCM) information, catastrophic cap, and deductible

• Make payments and view payment history

• Find network providers

The app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It uses myAuth for authentication.

How to Check Referral and Authorization Status

You can check the status of your referral or authorization through the beneficiary self-service portal or by calling Humana Military directly.

To check status online:

1. Go to the East Region beneficiary self-service portal at infocenter.humana-military.com/bene/service/Account/Login.

2. Log in using myAuth or DS Logon.

3. Locate the “Referrals / Authorizations” section on your dashboard.

4. View the status, provider information, and associated dates.

To check status by phone: Call 800-444-5445.

Important reminder for TRICARE Prime beneficiaries. TRICARE Prime beneficiaries are responsible for making sure referrals are approved before seeking care outside the military treatment facility (MTF) with any provider. If the referral is not approved prior to receiving care, beneficiaries can incur significant out-of-pocket costs.

Claims Submission and Processing

TRICARE East claims are processed through the TRICARE East Region claims center.

Where to mail paper claims:

TRICARE East Region Claims
P.O. Box 202146
Florence, SC 29502-2146

Claims fax: 877-489-0007

Important note for 2026. Claims with dates of service beginning January 1, 2026, were temporarily held to allow implementation of updated 2026 reimbursement rates and beneficiary fee changes. This hold was expected to last no more than 45 days, after which claims were released for processing.

When to file claims:

• Claims must be filed within 1 year of the date of service (or discharge for inpatient care).

• Recommended submission within 30 days for faster payment.

• Secondary claims (when you have other health insurance) must be submitted within 90 days after the other insurance processes the claim.

Claims processing time:

• 99% of clean medical claims are processed within 7 days for provider payment.

• Electronic claims (EDI) average 7 to 14 days processing.

• Paper claims can take up to 30 days.

Claims Appeals and Reconsiderations

If TRICARE East denies your claim, you have the right to appeal. The process depends on whether the denial is for a claim payment or an authorization denial.

How to Submit a Claim Appeal

You can request a reconsideration of a claim denial by writing to the address specified in the notice of the right to appeal. The appeal letter must be postmarked or received within 90 days of the date on the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) or other decision letter.

Mail your claim appeal to:

TRICARE East Region Claims
P.O. Box 202146
Florence, SC 29502-2146

How to Submit an Authorization Appeal

Use the authorization appeals process when your referral or authorization is denied. All appeal requests must be in writing and signed by the appealing party or the appealing party’s representative. All appeal requests must state the issue in dispute and include a copy of the initial denial letter.

Where to send authorization appeals:

Humana Military
Appeals and Reconsideration Department
P.O. Box 202146
Florence, SC 29502-2146

Appeal deadlines:

• Routine appeals must be submitted within 90 days from the date of denial.

• Expedited (urgent) appeals must be filed within 3 calendar days after receipt of the initial denial for medical necessity determinations.

Who can appeal:

• Any TRICARE beneficiary or a parent/guardian of a beneficiary under age 18

• The guardian of a beneficiary who is not competent to act on their own behalf

• A representative appointed in writing by a beneficiary

• A non-network participating provider

You can check the status of your appeal through the beneficiary self-service portal.

TRICARE East Pharmacy Support

TRICARE Pharmacy is administered by Express Scripts, not Humana Military. For pharmacy-related questions, contact Express Scripts directly.

TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery is the least expensive way to fill prescriptions after military pharmacies, with up to a 90-day supply available for most drugs. On January 1, 2026, most TRICARE beneficiaries saw updated, increased copayment amounts for prescription medications.

2026 pharmacy copayments (30-day retail supply):

2026 pharmacy copayments (90-day home delivery):

Finding a TRICARE East Provider

You can find a TRICARE East provider through the online provider directory. TRICARE does not have one single provider directory; directories may differ based on your location, your plan, and type of provider.

To search for a provider:

1. Navigate to the TRICARE Find a Doctor tool at tricare.mil/FINDAPROVIDER.

2. Enter your 5-digit ZIP code to confirm you are in the East Region.

3. Select “Find a Provider.”

4. Follow the prompts to search for network providers, autism care providers, virtual health providers, and more.

5. Use filters to narrow your search by specialty, location, and provider type.

For TRICARE Prime beneficiaries, referrals must be approved before seeking care outside the MTF with any provider. If the referral is not approved prior to receiving care, you can incur significant out-of-pocket costs.

TRICARE East Dental Support

TRICARE Dental Programs are administered by United Concordia Companies, Inc., not Humana Military. For dental-related questions, contact United Concordia directly.

The TRICARE Dental Program maximum annual benefit coverage is $1,200 for all routine dental care.

TRICARE East Behavioral Health Support

TRICARE East covers a broad range of behavioral health services, including inpatient, residential, and outpatient addiction treatment, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Behavioral health contact for TRICARE East: Call Humana Military at 800-444-5445. You can also find a virtual health provider through the East Region Virtual Health Network Partners.

As of 2026, many services like office-based outpatient therapy do not require pre-authorization for TRICARE Select users.

Special Programs and Support

TRICARE East offers special programs for beneficiaries with specific health conditions or needs.

Autism Care Demonstration (ACD)

The TRICARE Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration covers applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for all TRICARE beneficiaries diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The ACD also covers occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, psychological services, psychological testing, and prescription drugs.

Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)

ECHO supplements the basic TRICARE program by providing financial assistance for an integrated set of services and supplies for beneficiaries with qualifying disabilities.

Case Management and Disease Management

Beneficiaries enrolled in Care Management, Case Management, or Disease Management programs can view case owner information, program details, available resources, and secure messaging options through the beneficiary portal.

Grievances and Complaints

If you have a complaint or grievance about your TRICARE East experience, you can submit it by phone, mail, or through the beneficiary portal.

By phone: Call Humana Military at 800-444-5445.

By mail: Complete and print the complaint/grievance form and mail it to the Humana Military Appeals and Reconsideration Department, P.O. Box 202146, Florence, SC 29502-2146.

File a grievance when:

• You have a complaint about the quality of care you received

• A provider or facility behaved inappropriately

• You have any other non-appealable issue

For fraud reporting: Contact the TRICARE fraud hotline or the Defense Health Agency Fraud and Abuse program.

TRICARE East for Different Beneficiary Groups

Latest TRICARE East Changes for 2026

myAuth replaces DS Logon. Starting in 2026, TRICARE East beneficiaries are transitioning to myAuth for portal login. DS Logon sunsets by the end of fiscal year 2026.

Claims hold for 2026 rates. Claims with dates of service beginning January 1, 2026, were temporarily held for up to 45 days to implement updated 2026 reimbursement rates.

Pharmacy copayment increases. On January 1, 2026, most TRICARE beneficiaries saw updated, increased copayment amounts for prescription medications.

Privacy Act matching program. The DoD has implemented a Do Not Pay (DNP) matching program for the TRICARE East Region to prevent improper payments.

Class action regarding mental health claim denials. A class action was filed in 2026 targeting Humana Military over mental health claim denials in the TRICARE East Region.

Common Questions

What is the TRICARE East customer service phone number?

The main TRICARE East customer service number is 800-444-5445. Call center hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET and CT, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. This line handles benefits, enrollment, referrals, claims, and provider network questions.

Who is the TRICARE East contractor?

Humana Military is the TRICARE East Region contractor. Humana Military retained the contract under the T-5 Managed Care Support Contract effective January 1, 2025. The contract is valued at $7.34 billion and covers 33 states plus the District of Columbia.

How do I check my TRICARE East referral status?

Log in to the East Region beneficiary self-service portal at infocenter.humana-military.com/bene/service/Account/Login, locate the “Referrals / Authorizations” section, and view the status. You can also call 800-444-5445. View referral letters and provider information through the portal.

Where do I mail TRICARE East claims?

Mail paper claims to TRICARE East Region Claims, P.O. Box 202146, Florence, SC 29502-2146. The claims fax number is 877-489-0007. Claims must be filed within 1 year of the date of service.

How do I appeal a denied TRICARE East claim?

File a claim appeal by writing to the address specified in the notice of the right to appeal. The appeal letter must be postmarked or received within 90 days of the date on the EOB or other decision letter. Mail to TRICARE East Region Claims, P.O. Box 202146, Florence, SC 29502-2146.

How do I appeal a denied authorization?

All appeal requests must be in writing and signed by the appealing party or representative, and must state the issue in dispute. Routine appeals must be submitted within 90 days from the date of denial. Expedited appeals must be filed within 3 calendar days for medical necessity denials.

How long does TRICARE East take to process claims?

99% of clean medical claims are processed within 7 days for provider payment. Electronic claims average 7 to 14 days. Paper claims can take up to 30 days. Claims with dates of service beginning January 1, 2026, were temporarily held for up to 45 days.

What states are in the TRICARE East Region?

The East Region covers 33 states plus the District of Columbia: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (partial), Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin (partial), and D.C.

How do I find a TRICARE East provider?

Use the TRICARE Find a Doctor tool at tricare.mil/FINDAPROVIDER. Enter your ZIP code to confirm you are in the East Region, then search for network providers, autism care providers, virtual health providers, and more. Use filters to narrow by specialty and location.

What do I do if I have a complaint about TRICARE East?

Call Humana Military at 800-444-5445 or complete the complaint/grievance form and mail it to the Humana Military Appeals and Reconsideration Department, P.O. Box 202146, Florence, SC 29502-2146. File a grievance for quality of care complaints, inappropriate provider behavior, or other non-appealable issues.

Key Takeaways

• TRICARE East customer service is provided by Humana Military at 800-444-5445, open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET and CT, Monday through Friday.

• The East Region covers 33 states plus the District of Columbia, including Florida, Georgia, Texas (partial), Virginia, and New York.

• The beneficiary self-service portal at tricare.mil/east allows you to check referrals, claims, enrollments, and appeals without calling.

• myAuth is replacing DS Logon for portal login in 2026; set up myAuth to avoid delays.

• Claims are mailed to TRICARE East Region Claims, P.O. Box 202146, Florence, SC 29502-2146; fax to 877-489-0007.

• 99% of clean claims are processed within 7 days; paper claims can take up to 30 days.

• Claims appeals must be filed within 90 days of the EOB notice; authorization appeals also have a 90-day deadline for routine requests.

• Pharmacy copayments increased on January 1, 2026; generics are $16 for 30-day retail and $14 for 90-day home delivery.

• The TRICARE East mobile app allows you to view claims, referrals, EOBs, and eligibility from your smartphone.

• Humana Military retained the TRICARE East contract under the T-5 contract effective January 1, 2025.

Official Resources

• TRICARE East Region: tricare.mil/east

• Humana Military: humanamilitary.com

• TRICARE East Beneficiary Self-Service: infocenter.humana-military.com

• TRICARE Contact Information: tricare.mil/CallUS

• TRICARE Region Lookup: tricare.mil/About/Regions

• TRICARE Claims Addresses: tricare.mil/PatientResources/Claims/ClaimsAddresses

• TRICARE Pharmacy (Express Scripts): militaryrx.express-scripts.com

• TRICARE For Life (WPS): tricare4u.com

• USA.gov Veterans Benefits: usa.gov/veterans-benefits