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Difference Between TriWest & TRICARE

The terms TriWest and TRICARE are often used interchangeably, but each is distinctly different. It's easy to see why people may be confused—the names of both start with the same three letters and both have similar logos.

Created in the early 1990s, TRICARE is the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) health care entitlement for active duty, Guard and Reserve and retired members of the military, and their eligible family members and survivors. TRICARE's objectives are to optimize the delivery of health care services at military treatment facilities and supplement that with access to civilian health care networks where necessary. TRICARE receives its funding as part of the annual federal defense budget, which is approved by Congress and signed by the President of the United States.

TriWest Healthcare Alliance is a privately held, Phoenix-based corporation that contracts with the DoD to administer TRICARE in the 21-state TRICARE West Region, and is monitored by the TRICARE Management Authority, a department within the DoD.

TRICARE is not an insurance plan, but rather a health care entitlement earned by our nation's military members for their service to this country. Likewise, TriWest is not an insurance company. TriWest is a contractor to the DoD that administers the TRICARE program in the 21-state West Region.