Acute Appointments are for medical conditions, while not life or limb threatening, which could become more serious if not treated. Examples of acute care include eye or ear infections and suspected bladder infections. The TRICARE access standard for acute care is 1 day (24 hours).

Routine appointments, also known as primary care, include general office visits for the treatment of symptoms, chronic or acute illnesses and diseases and follow-up care for an ongoing medical condition. Routine care can also include preventive care measures to help keep you healthy but normally stem from specific illness or disease. The TRICARE access standard for routine care is 1 week (7 days).

Wellness or preventive care appointments include diagnostic and other medical procedures not related directly to a specific illness, injury, definitive set of symptoms or obstetrical care, but rather performed as periodic health screening, school/sports physicals or health maintenance. The TRICARE access standard for wellness care is 4 weeks (28 days).

Specialty care appointments are provided by a specialist, such as orthopedics or cardiology, in military or civilian healthcare facilities after referral by a primary care manager. The TRICARE access standard for specialty care is 4 weeks (28 days).

Emergency services are available and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In an emergency, TRICARE beneficiaries should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

TRICARE defines an emergency as a medical, maternity or psychiatric condition that would lead a "prudent lay person" (someone with average knowledge of health and medicine) to believe that a serious medical condition exists, or that the absence of immediate medical attention would result in a threat to life, limb or eyesight, or when the person has painful symptoms requiring immediate attention to relieve suffering. This includes situations where a person is in severe pain or is at immediate risk to self or others.

You always have the ability to seek emergency care when necessary. For all other healthcare requirements, including acute, routine, wellness, and specialty care, you must have authorization before receiving those services. Failure to do so will likely result in you incurring some financial responsibility. You always have the option to call 1-888-TRIWEST, consult www.tricareonline.com, or visit the TRICARE service center at your nearest military medical treatment facility, to have all your questions answered.