What we’ve achieved to date could not have been accomplished without the help of the soldiers, airmen, sailors and countless other volunteers who answered the call to help restore order and hope to the Gulf Coast. But we also owe a debt of gratitude to you, our TRICARE providers, for once again supporting our troops and their families in such a time of need.

Answering the Call

As recovery and relocation efforts were underway in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Department of Defense (DoD) launched an aggressive outreach to nearly 360,000 active duty military personnel, retirees and their families who were affected by the storm.

From the South Region, beneficiaries were relocated to approximately 474 evacuee sites across the United States. TRICARE dispatched staff to a number of sites to provide face-to-face counseling, to advise beneficiaries on how to access care, and to answer their questions about their health benefit options. Humana Military Healthcare Services, the TRICARE South Region contractor, completed a five-day outreach campaign to 586 American Red Cross shelters throughout the southern United States to assist displaced beneficiaries.

Health Net Federal Services, Inc., the North Region contractor, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the West Region contractor, also visited numerous shelters in their regions to locate and assist beneficiaries.

What Lies Ahead

While progress continues daily, a couple of South Region facilities were devastated and are still waiting to reopen. For the latest information about access to health care during the aftermath, facility closures and re-openings, and much more, visit the Hurricane Resources page.

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Last Reviewed:  February 13, 2007