TRICARE Military Health Care

TRICARE is the military health-care program serving:

• Active duty (AD) service members
• National Guard and Reserve members
• Retirees
• Their families, survivors, and certain former spouses worldwide

As a major component of the Military Health System, TRICARE combines the health-care resources of the uniformed services with networks of civilian health-care professionals, institutions, pharmacies, and suppliers to provide high-quality health care while maintaining the capability to support military operations.

TRICARE is a regionally managed program. Your regional contractor should be your first stop for information on enrollment, covered benefits, access standards, claim filing, costs, etc.

More info: tricare.mil

The three TRICARE options

There are three options under TRICARE:

• TRICARE Prime
• TRICARE Select
• TRICARE Reserve Select

Active duty members are automatically enrolled in Prime. Family members must decide which option is best for them.

Special note on SSN: All military benefits — including family member benefits — are accessed using the military member's SSN. Make sure all eligible family members have the sponsor's SSN readily available.

Eligibility

TRICARE Prime

• Active duty service members and their families
• Retired service members and their families
• Activated Guard / Reserve members and their families (called or ordered to active duty for more than 30 days in a row)
• Non-activated Guard / Reserve members and their families who qualify for care under the Transitional Assistance Management Program
• Retired Guard / Reserve members at age 60 and their families
• Survivors
• Medal of Honor recipients and their families
• Qualified former spouses

TRICARE Select

• Active duty family members
• Retired service members and their families
• Family members of activated Guard / Reserve members (called or ordered to active duty for more than 30 days in a row)
• Non-activated Guard / Reserve members and their families who qualify for care under the Transitional Assistance Management Program
• Retired Guard / Reserve members at age 60 and their families
• Survivors
• Medal of Honor recipients and their families
• Qualified former spouses

TRICARE Reserve Select

For members of the Selected Reserve (and their families) who meet all of the following:

• Not on active duty orders
• Not covered under the Transitional Assistance Management Program
• Not eligible for or enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program

Note: Survivor coverage is not affected by FEHB eligibility.

Note: Members in the Individual Ready Reserve — including Navy Reserve Voluntary Training Units — do NOT qualify to purchase TRICARE Reserve Select.

Involuntary separation: Certain members of the Selected Reserve covered by TRICARE Reserve Select and involuntarily separated under other than adverse conditions (a separation other than "honorable" or "general") may have access to extended TRICARE Reserve Select coverage up to 180 days. For more information, contact your service personnel department.

TRICARE Prime enrollment

Three ways to enroll:

1. Online via the Beneficiary Web Enrollment website.
2. Call your regional contractor.
3. Mail the enrollment form to your regional contractor.

How TRICARE Prime works

You have an assigned Primary Care Manager (PCM) who provides most of your care. The PCM:

• Is a military or network provider.
• Refers you to specialists for care he or she can't provide.
• Works with your regional contractor for referrals / authorizations.
• Accepts your copayment and files claims for you.