TRICARE Coverage for Mental Health & Behavioral Health
Overview
TRICARE provides comprehensive mental health coverage with no annual visit limits for outpatient care. This includes individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric medication management, substance abuse treatment, crisis intervention, and specialized military-specific programs.
Treatment Options Covered by TRICARE
- Individual psychotherapy (no visit limits)
- Group therapy
- Psychiatric medication management
- Couples and family therapy
- Substance abuse treatment
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
- Inpatient psychiatric care
- Crisis intervention and stabilization
- Telehealth mental health visits
- Military OneSource counseling (12 free sessions)
- Military Family Life Counseling
How TRICARE Covers Mental Health & Behavioral Health
TRICARE removed annual visit limits for outpatient mental health care, allowing beneficiaries to receive as many sessions as medically necessary. Active duty service members can self-refer for the first 8 outpatient mental health visits. Coverage includes all evidence-based therapies including CBT, DBT, CPT, PE, and EMDR.
Coverage by Plan
TRICARE Prime
Outpatient mental health at $0 copay with referral (or self-referral for first 8 visits for active duty). Inpatient requires authorization.
TRICARE Select
Standard outpatient cost shares. Individual therapy: $28 (network, ADFMs Group A). No visit limits. Self-referral to any TRICARE-authorized mental health provider.
TRICARE For Life
Medicare covers mental health services with standard cost shares. TFL covers remaining balance.
Estimated Costs
| Scenario | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Therapy session (Prime, active duty) | $0 |
| Therapy session (Prime ADFM) | $0 with referral |
| Therapy session (Select ADFM, network) | $28 |
| Psychiatrist visit (Select ADFM, network) | $28 |
| Psychiatric medication (military pharmacy) | $0 |
| Inpatient stay (Prime ADFM) | $0 with authorization |
Authorization Requirements
Outpatient therapy does not require authorization (active duty: first 8 visits self-referral). Inpatient psychiatric care, residential treatment, and Intensive Outpatient Programs require prior authorization. Emergency psychiatric care does not require authorization.
Network & Provider Notes
TRICARE maintains a large network of licensed mental health providers including psychologists, clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, and psychiatrists. The TRICARE mental health provider shortage in some areas is being addressed through telehealth expansion.