FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is suffering or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. This resource will connect you with a trained counselor who is available 24/7 to get the help you need.
Staying healthy takes more than just taking care of your body. Even when you’re feeling physically fine, you might notice that you’re sadder, more anxious, or more tired than usual. If so, you might be experiencing symptoms of a mental health concern. And you’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five U.S. adults is living with a mental illness.
TRICARE covers mental health services so you and your family can get the care you need. With these covered services, you can get on the path to mental and physical wellness.
“Taking care of your mental health is key to your overall wellness,” said Thomas Turnbaugh, LCSW-C, a behavioral health specialist with the Defense Health Agency. “If you notice that you’re feeling different than usual or are dealing with a major stressor, contact your health care provider immediately to find out how you can get specialized care.”
More information about what mental health services TRICARE covers and how to access them can be found here.
Get emergency mental health care
If you or a loved one is in imminent danger of harming themselves or others, this is a mental health emergency. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. No referral or pre-authorization is needed. Contact your TRICARE regional contractor within 24 hours (or the next business day) to coordinate your care.
Getting non-emergency mental health care
Before receiving non-emergency care, talk to your doctor to determine which services are right for you and which services require a referral or prior authorization.
Your options for receiving non-emergency mental health care vary depending on your beneficiary category and health insurance plan.
- Active Duty Military Personnel (ADSM): First, seek non-emergency treatment at a military hospital or clinic. A referral or prior authorization is required to seek treatment at a civilian healthcare facility. ADSM may also request a mental health evaluation through their supervisor. You do not need to explain why you are requesting an evaluation, and the information will be kept confidential.
- Others on TRICARE Prime: A referral is not needed to receive in-hospital outpatient mental health services from network providers. Active duty military family members may receive non-urgent care from TRICARE-certified out-of-network providers without a referral, but charges at the time of service apply.
- TRICARE Select: You can see any TRICARE-certified provider for mental health services, but you’ll pay a lower out-of-pocket cost if you see an in-network provider.
- TRICARE For Life: In most cases, you don’t need a referral or prior authorization from TRICARE because Medicare is the primary payer for mental health care. However, if you have exhausted your Medicare benefits, you will need a referral or prior authorization from TRICARE before you can receive mental health care.
If you’re still not sure whether you need a referral or pre-authorization before receiving treatment, visit Referrals and Pre-Authorizations for more information.
Covered Mental Health Services
TRICARE covers certain outpatient and inpatient mental health services, as detailed in the TRICARE Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services Fact Sheet.
Outpatient Services
Outpatient treatment is available at some military hospitals and clinics. Treatment is also available through TRICARE-certified civilian health care providers. Appointments can be made in person or via telehealth.
Covered outpatient treatments include:
- Psychotherapy: Individual, family, or group therapy based on discussion
- Psychological Testing and Evaluation: Covered if medically or psychologically necessary or during the Autism Care Demonstration-based evaluation process.
- Intensive outpatient program: Patients attend a treatment center several days a week for a few hours at a time for treatment and medication management.
- Partial Hospitalization Program: Daytime treatment where the patient lives at home and receives treatment at a clinic for at least six hours a day, up to seven days a week.
Inpatient Services
You may need more intensive treatment that requires you to stay in a hospital or treatment center. If so, TRICARE will cover the costs of:
- Inpatient services: Treating problems requiring hospitalization (e.g. psychiatric emergencies and substance use withdrawal).
- Residential Psychiatric Treatment Centers: Long-term care for children and adolescents who need 24/7 treatment in a therapeutic environment.
Looking for a complete list of covered mental health services? You can find more information about covered treatments here, or search for specific services on our covered services page.
Notes: Some mental health services may not be available overseas. Check with your TRICARE Overseas contractor for more information.
Mental health care costs
Use our cost comparison tool to find out what your out-of-pocket costs will be for mental health services. You may be able to save money by receiving treatment at a military hospital or clinic or a TRICARE-certified network provider. ADSM does not have to pay for mental health services provided by or certified by the Military Health System.
Mental health is health and an important part of overall wellness. Looking for a mental health provider? Check out our doctor finder tool. You can find more resources and information on TRICARE’s Mental Health Care page.
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