CareSource Launches TRICARE Prime Demo Pilot to Expand Access for Military Families in Tampa and Atlanta by 2026

TAMPA, Fla., and ATLANTA – CareSource Military & Veterans (CSMV) will launch a new TRICARE pilot in January 2026 aimed at improving healthcare access and navigation for military families. The TRICARE Prime Demo by CSMV, part of the Tricare Competitive Plans Demonstration, will remove referral requirements for in-network care and bring coordinated support to approximately 146,000 eligible beneficiaries across the Tampa, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia, metro areas. The demonstration will evaluate whether these changes improve the overall healthcare experience and could inform future nationwide TRICARE policy.

What’s New for TRICARE Beneficiaries

CSMV says the pilot is designed to simplify access and improve continuity of care for active-duty service members, retirees, survivors, and their families in the participating regions. Key elements include:

• No referrals for in-network care, removing a common barrier to timely appointments.
• Dedicated coordination teams serving as a one-stop shop for contact, scheduling, and follow-ups.
• 24/7 nurse advice line and online tools to support navigation and decision-making.
• First-year enrollment fees waived from the start of enrollment.
• Direct access to choice network providers for covered services.

To verify eligibility and review plan details, visit TRICARE Prime Demo by CareSource Military & Veterans.

How the TRICARE Prime Demo Works

The pilot maintains the underlying TRICARE Prime benefit while testing a new approach to delivery and support. Its focus is on reducing administrative steps, speeding up access to care, and tailoring services to the realities of military life, including frequent relocations and changing family needs.

According to CSMV, the program will emphasize proactive support through digital tools, multilingual materials, and teams with lived military experience. The Department of Defense established the demonstration to assess whether innovations like these can improve how TRICARE serves military families and potentially scale them nationwide.

Q&A: What CareSource Says About the Pilot

Military.com interviewed Selene Martin, CareSource Associate Vice President, Corporate Affairs.

Kimberly O’Brien, Military.com: Please tell us about yourself. What is your background, and how has this shaped your vision for the future of healthcare for the military community?

Selene Martin, CareSource Associate Vice President, Corporate Affairs: I am the Associate Vice President of Corporate Affairs for CareSource Military & Veterans, leading strategy and stakeholder engagement for our military programs. This includes serving on the TRICARE Prime Demo’s Design and Management Team, where we listen deeply to the community and work to earn trust through clarity, connection, and care. My professional journey blends corporate impact with military family advocacy. Before joining CareSource, I directed military philanthropy at USAA, where I led initiatives in mental health, economic mobility, and veteran suicide prevention, driving impactful programs that enhanced access to essential resources for the military community. Additionally, I spent 15 years at LexisNexis focusing on social impact initiatives related to justice and equity, and have served on several national advisory councils supporting military spouses and veterans. I am also a military spouse, which means health care decisions are not just data points or spreadsheets to me. I know how complex and deeply personal they can be. I came to CareSource to be part of an effort that seeks to see families and hear their needs, support them, and ultimately empower them to make decisions that are right for their family. I envision a health care landscape where plans fully reflect the real lives of the people they serve, and I’m proud to be part of a team working to make that vision a reality.

O’Brien: What is the TRICARE Prime Demo by CareSource Military & Veterans, and how does it differ from the traditional TRICARE Prime option available to beneficiaries?

Martin: The TRICARE Prime Demo is a pilot program developed by the Department of Defense to demonstrate new ways of providing connected care to military families. CareSource Military & Veterans is bringing this reality to life in Atlanta and Tampa. The underlying TRICARE Prime benefit hasn’t changed. We’re changing the experience around it. We’re enhancing the program with military family-inspired features like a 24/7 nurse advice line, no referrals for in-network care, a portal to easily access and share important information, and care managers with lived experience in navigating care. We’re part of a nonprofit, with military in our DNA, and we’re building a health plan that feels personal, responsive and reliable for the families that depend on it every day.

O’Brien: How does CareSource Military & Veterans plan to address the unique needs of military families, retirees, and survivors in the Tampa and Atlanta metro areas?

Martin: We started by listening. Before offering coverage, we spent time learning directly from families, retirees, and base leaders in both communities. We heard a lot about the need for timely information, clearer navigation and care that adapts to family transitions. That’s why our approach is centered on community connection and proactive support. From digital tools to multilingual materials to peer support teams with lived military experience, we’ve built this plan with the realities of military life in mind, especially for those who often feel overlooked.

O’Brien: What measures are being taken to ensure timely access to providers, especially given the challenges many military families face with relocations and continuity of care?

Martin: We know that finding the right provider and maintaining consistent care are among the biggest stressors in military life. To address this, we leverage technology and strong relationships with provider networks. We’ve invested in digital tools that make it easier to search for in-network providers based on location, language, specialty, and military familiarity. We’ve also partnered with provider networks that understand the pace of military life. Whether someone is new to the area, in transition, or hasn’t used civilian care in a while, our job is to meet them with clear answers and a path forward.

O’Brien: What specific features or services set CareSource Military & Veterans apart from other TRICARE options, and why might beneficiaries consider switching?

Martin: The TRICARE benefit is the same, but your experience will be different. At CareSource Military & Veterans, we’re adding layers of support designed to make it easier for you to find information and help when you need it. We have care managers with experience in navigating both physical and behavioral health needs. Additionally, we offer tools aimed at reducing the day-to-day stress of military life. We also hear from many families who want their care experience to feel personal, not just procedural. That’s why service is our top priority. As part of a nonprofit with military roots, our entire team is dedicated to you, your health, and building trust so we can be a steady partner in your care.

O’Brien: If this demonstration project proves successful, how do you envision the program expanding or shaping the future of TRICARE coverage nationwide?

Martin: The DoD established this demo to find out if innovative solutions can improve how TRICARE works for military families. If this demonstration is successful, it will help shape the future of TRICARE for military and veteran communities around the country. Success for us at CareSource Military & Veterans is simple: Did families feel seen? Did they receive support? Did they find care when and how they needed it? Did we keep up with their pace of military life? If we can answer yes to all these questions, then we will have demonstrated that a health plan can bring both high-quality and humanity to the services it provides. That’s the kind of example we want to set, and that’s why we’re proud to have been selected for this demonstration.

O’Brien: Is there anything else you want our readers to know?

Martin: If you’re eligible and living in the Atlanta or Tampa metro areas, I encourage you to explore the new TRICARE Prime Demo option with CareSource Military & Veterans during this year’s Open Season. We understand that switching plans is a significant decision. You deserve to feel supported, informed, seen, and valued. And we’ll keep showing up to make sure that happens.

What’s Next

The TRICARE Prime Demo by CSMV is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with first-year enrollment fees waived once enrollment opens. The Department of Defense will evaluate whether the demonstration improves the beneficiary experience, access to providers, and care coordination in the Tampa and Atlanta regions. Findings may guide future TRICARE changes nationwide.