TRICARE Prime Overview

Most servicemembers agree that TRICARE is the most confusing military benefit. Choosing the right TRICARE Plan is a difficult and daunting task. The following information will explain the key factors you need to know to choose the best program for your family. These factors include:

• Primary Care Manager
• The Point of Service Option
• Prime Pros and Cons
• TRICARE Cost Comparison
• Helpful Hints
• TRICARE Prime Enrollment Forms
• US Family Health Plan

According to TRICARE all active duty servicemembers are eligible in TRICARE Prime. However they must fill out an enrollment form and submit it to the regional contractor by either filling out the enrollment form. In addition servicemembers receive most of their care from military medical personnel.

For active duty families, there is no enrollment fee for TRICARE Prime, however they must complete an enrollment form to select Prime as their coverage plan.

TRICARE UPDATE: As of October 1, 2011 military retirees who choose to enroll in TRICARE Prime will be required to pay an increased annual enrollment fee of $260 (indi­vid­ual) and $520 (fam­ily). Cur­rently enrolled retirees will begin pay­ing the new annual enroll­ment fees in Jan­u­ary 2012.

With TRICARE Prime, most health care will come from a military treatment facility (MTF), along with the TRICARE contracted Civilian Medical Providers called Preferred Provider Network (PPN).

Primary Care Manager

Your Primary Care Manager (or team of providers) will see you first for your health care needs. The Primary Care Manager:

• Provides and/or coordinates your care
• Maintains your health records
• Refers you to specialists, if necessary (To be covered, specialty care must be arranged and approved by your Primary Care Manager)

Care is usually provided in a military treatment facility, but civilian clinics may be used in some cases.

TIP: TRICARE Prime members should always seek the advice of their Primary Care Manager (or local MTF) before seeking medical attention from any specialists or other medical facilities.

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Point of Service (POS) Option

The POS Option under TRICARE Prime allows enrollees the freedom to seek and receive non-emergency health care services from any TRICARE authorized civilian provider, in or out of the TRICARE network, without requesting a referral from their Primary Care Manager (PCM) or the Health Care Finder (HCF). When Prime enrollees choose to use the POS option, all requirements applicable to TRICARE Standard apply except the requirement for a Nonavailability Statement(NAS).

However POS claims are subject to outpatient deductibles ($300 individual and $600 family), 50% cost-shares for outpatient and inpatient claims, and excess charges up 15% over the allowed amount. The 50% cost-share continues to be applied even after the Enrollment Year catastrophic cap has been met.

TRICARE Prime - Advantages

• No enrollment fee for active duty and families
• Small fee per visit to civilian providers, and no fee for active duty members
• No balance billing
• Guaranteed appointments (access standards)
• Primary care manager supervises and coordinates care
• Away-from-home emergency coverage
• Point-of-Service option
• Reduced catastrophic cap for retirees ($7,500 now decreased to $3,000)

TRICARE Prime - Disadvantages

• Enrollment fee for retirees and their families
• Provider choice limited
• Specialty care by referral only
• Not universally available

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TRICARE Cost Comparison at a Glance

The following tables provide examples of cost-shares or copayments for families who use civilian providers and facilities under each of the three TRICARE options. The listed fees are subject to change.

Active Duty Family Members:

Retirees (under 65), Their Family Members, and Others:

*New enrollment fees effective on Oct. 1, 2011 for new enrollees

Tricare Prime Summary

Guaranteed access to timely medical care

• Priority for care at military hospitals and clinics
• Primary Care Manager provides and guides health care delivery
• Lowest cost for treatment among three options
• Requires enrollment for one year
• Retirees pay enrollment fee
• Very expensive to receive care outside Tricare Prime (Point-of-Service Option)
• Not available everywhere

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Helpful Hints:

• Sponsors should ensure their family members have up-to-date uniformed services identification cards, and that they are properly enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).*
• Beneficiaries may find that the closest MTF is outside their area. In that case they will be enrolled in TRICARE Prime Remote.
• Beneficiaries may be required to file their own claims when using TRICARE Standard. Beneficiaries may find more information about filing claims and download claims forms on the TRICARE Website.
• Although TRICARE Standard beneficiaries have a lower priority for access to care in MTFs than TRICARE Prime enrollees, Standard beneficiaries may attempt to receive their care from an MTF. This will save money and paperwork.

*See also:
TRICARE Regional Managed Care Support Contractor Fact Sheet
Defense Enrollment Eligibility and Reporting System Fact Sheet
US Family Health Plan

TRICARE Contact Information:

• TRICARE For Life Program 1.866.773.0404
• Pharmacy Program 1.877.363.1303 
• US Family Health Plan 1.800.748.7347
• TRICARE Dental Program 1.800.866.8499
• TRICARE Active Duty Dental Plan 1.866.984.2337
• TRICARE Retiree Dental Program 1.888.838.8737
• Active Duty Claims (Military Medical Support Office) 1.888.647.6676

For general information about TRICARE, call the toll-free TRICARE information line for your region found at the TRICARE Contact Us web page.