Seek Urgent/Emergency Care
What is Emergency Care?
Emergency care is needed in the case of a medical emergency. Medical emergencies are the sudden and unexpected onset of a medical condition that:
- Is threatening to life, limb, or eyesight
- Requires immediate medical treatment or
- Manifests painful symptoms that requires immediate response to alleviate suffering
TRICARE International SOS (http://www.tricare-overseas.com/) provides 24/7 support for TRICARE overseas beneficiaries, when they need urgent or emergent care or request medical assistance. This includes real-time English translation services provided over the phone. In South Korea, call toll-free 080-591-0880 or direct 65-6338-9277.
What to do in an emergency?
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Some military treatment facility locations offer emergency room services and others do not, so be sure to be familiar with the clinics and services offered at your location.
Have more questions?
Call the Nurse Advice Line: 1-800-TRICARE, Option 1*
- Talk to a registered nurse
- Get health care advice
- Ask urgent care questions
- Get help finding a doctor
Available only in the continental US states
What is Urgent Care?
Urgent care is defined as care needed for a non-emergency illness or injury. This means that it does not threaten an individual’s life, limbs, or eyesight, or leave them in intolerable pain for an extended duration of time. An individual may also need to seek urgent care in situations where a health condition or injury may become a more serious risk to their health if left untreated. It is recommended that Department of Defense patients seek urgent care at their local MTF locations first if possible. TRICARE’s new Urgent Care Pilot Program covers two urgent care visits per fiscal year, depending on your type of plan and location. Full details can be found here. For more information about Urgent Care and what is covered in your plan, please visit TRICARE.
Enrolled in a Prime Plan?
Call your primary care manager within 24 hours or the next business day after getting emergency care to get authorization and coordinate ongoing care.
Prime plans include:
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Prime Overseas
- TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas
- TRICARE Young Adult-Prime
Veterans Crisis Line / PTSD phone number