Getting Mental Health Care
Emergency Mental Health Care
What is a mental health emergency?
You have an emergency if the patient:
- Is at immediate risk of serious harm to self or others as a result of mental disorder
- Needs immediate continuous skilled observation at the acute level of care (based on a psychiatric evaluation)
When you have a mental health emergency:
Non-Emergency Mental Health Care
- Follow your plan's rules for getting non-emergency mental health care
- For specific details, enter your plan info above
- You can download the Mental Health Care Services Fact Sheet
- Below is a summary for a quick guide
| If you |
Then |
|
Are an active duty service member
|
You must have a referral and prior authorization for all mental health care.
|
|
Are a non-active duty TRICARE Prime beneficiary
|
You don't need a referral or prior authorization for your first 8 outpatient visits. (except for psychoanalysis and outpatient therapy for substance use disorder provided by a substance use disorder rehabilitation facility).
After your eighth visit (before the ninth), you'll need prior authorization.
|
|
Use TRICARE For Life
|
Medicare is the primary payer for mental health care. You only need a referral or authorization from TRICARE if your Medicare benefits are exhausted.
|
|
Use any other TRICARE health plan
|
You don't need a referral or prior authorization for your first 8 outpatient visits (except for psychoanalysis and outpatient therapy for substance use disorder provided by a substance use disorder rehabilitation facility).
After your eighth visit (before the ninth), you'll need prior authorization.
|
Do you need prescription drugs for a mental health condition?
You must be under the care of a provider who can prescribe drugs and manage your dosage. Some types of mental health providers can prescribe drugs, but others can't. >>Learn more
Not sure if you need help?
Take a voluntary, anonymous self-assessment to see if you have symptoms that are consistent with a condition that would benefit from further treatment or evaluation.