TRICARE, Your Military Health Plan

In This Section:

• If you have an Emergency
• Making Appointments
• Referrals
• Prior Authorization for Care
• Patient Safety
• Getting Care When Traveling
• Before You Travel
• Getting Care on Terminal Leave

Getting Care

How you get care depends on your health plan. So we can give you the most accurate information about how to get care, please enter your profile now so we know which health plan you are using.

Here are the basic rules for getting care. Keep in mind that there are always exceptions.

TRICARE Prime Options
TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Prime Remote, TRICARE Prime Overseas, TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas, TRICARE Young Adult-Prime Option

• You will visit your primary care manager (PCM) first.
• If your PCM cannot provide the care you need, he or she will give you a referral.
• If you choose to go to a specialist without first seeing your PCM, you may be subject to point-of-service charges.

TRICARE For Life 

• You may visit any Medicare provider for care.
• If living overseas, you may visit any overseas provider.
• You may seek care at a military treatment facility (MTF) on a space-available basis.

US Family Health Plan
This includes the TRICARE Young Adult-Prime Option when you select the US Family Health Plan.

• You will coordinate all care with your designated provider.
• You will not typically access care at MTFs or other TRICARE-authorized providers.

All Other Health Plan Options
TRICARE Standard and Extra, TRICARE Standard Overseas, TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Retired Reserve, TRICARE Young Adult-Standard Option

• You may visit any TRICARE-authorized provider for care.
• Referrals are not required.
• Some services may require authorization.
• You may access care at MTFs on a space-available basis.

If you have an emergency...

Last Modified:November 16, 2011