How to Find a Civilian Doc Who Accepts Tricare Insurance

The U.S. military uses Tricare health insurance to cover the medical needs of servicemen, servicewomen and their families. Many soldiers and their families choose to go to a military doctor working at a military treatment facility (MTF). Yet some soldiers and their families opt for civilian care, because they live too far away from an MTF or prefer civilian medical treatment.

In the U.S., Tricare contracts with three regional health plans who provide complementary civilian care to MTFs. Military families must choose Tricare-authorized civilian doctors or they risk paying higher out-of-pocket costs.

Instructions

• 1

  Locate your network provider. Tricare contracts with three different regions in the United States to provide civilian care to their clients: North Region, South Region and West Region. The regions are divided by state. To find your region, visit Tricare's "Find a Provider" website (see Resources).

• 2

  Find a civilian provider close to your home. Visit your Tricare regional site (see Resources) and do a quick search for Tricare-authorized doctors in your area. Similarly, you can find a doctor on the American Medical Association's website. If you choose this method, you will have to verify that the doctor is Tricare-authorized, or you will be subject to a higher deductible and out-of-pocket fees.

• 3

  Call your Tricare region's customer-service line. Contact your network provider (see Resources for contact information), and ask them to switch your primary care manager (PCM) to a civilian doctor. Your civilian doctor can give you referrals to other specialists, if needed.

• 4

  Get approval from your PCM. If you have Tricare Prime, you will most likely have to see a military doctor, unless you live too far from an MTF or are unable to make an appointment with your MTF. You must get approval from your PCM to see a civilian doctor. If you do not get approval, then you will have to pay deductibles and co-payments.

  If you have Tricare Standard or Extra, you are free to make appointments with civilian doctors who are Tricare-authorized.