TRICARE covers medically necessary services during your labor and delivery including anesthesia, fetal monitoring, and other services required for your care during your hospitalization. TRICARE will cover a cesarean section when medically necessary and ordered by a physician. If you choose to have a cesarean section instead of vaginal delivery for personal reasons, you may be responsible for some of the costs.
Facility/Provider
Usually, your TRICARE plan determines the type of birthing facility you will use (military or civilian, office-based or freestanding, etc.). You also have different options for the type of provider who delivers your baby (obstetrician, Family practice provider and or Certified nurse midwife, etc.). These types of decisions will be made by both you and your provider during your prenatal visits.
Length of Stay
Usually, you will stay in the hospital for a minimum of 48 hours after a vaginal delivery and 96 hours after a cesarean section. Complications may require a longer stay.
Antepartum Services
TRICARE covers the following services to determine the health of the baby or if you have a high-risk pregnancy:
- Amniocentesis
- Chordocentesis
- Chorionic villis sampling
- Fetal stress test
- Electronic fetal monitoring