Is the Ebers Papyrus Covered by TRICARE? Guide to Exclusions

## Quick answer The Ebers Papyrus is one of the oldest and most significant medical papyri from ancient Egypt, but it is **not a covered medical benefit** under any TRICARE plan. TRICARE only covers evidence-based medical treatments and pharmaceuticals approved by the FDA or recognized by modern clinical standards; ancient or "traditional" herbal remedies cited in historical texts are considered unproven and are excluded from coverage.

## In detail While the Ebers Papyrus (dating to roughly 1550 BCE) contains over 800 prescriptions and remedies for various ailments, it holds purely historical and academic value. TRICARE beneficiaries should understand how the Defense Health Agency (DHA) distinguishes between historical "folk medicine" and covered medical care.

### Why TRICARE Excludes These Treatments TRICARE policy, managed by the Defense Health Agency, strictly follows the "Evidence-Based Medicine" (EBM) model. For a treatment or medication to be covered, it must generally be: * **FDA Approved:** Most formulas in the Ebers Papyrus involve ingredients like honey, cumin, or castor oil used for medicinal purposes. While harmless as food, they are not FDA-approved drugs for treating systemic diseases. * **Safe and Effective:** Many "cures" in the papyrus involve incantations or materials (like animal dung or lead) that are now known to be toxic or medically inert. * **The "Unproven" Clause:** TRICARE typically excludes any care that is considered "unproven" or "experimental."

### TRICARE Regional Oversight If a beneficiary attempts to submit a claim for holistic or ancient herbal remedies based on historical texts, it will be denied by the regional contractors: * **TRICARE East:** Managed by Humana Military. * **TRICARE West:** Managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance (effective Jan 1, 2025). * **Pharmacy:** Managed by Express Scripts.

## Who this applies to The exclusion of ancient, holistic, or non-FDA-approved treatments found in texts like the Ebers Papyrus applies to: * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** Limited strictly to care provided at Military Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) or authorized civilian referrals. * **TRICARE Prime/Select Beneficiaries:** Claims for herbal supplements or "ancient medicine" consultations will be denied. * **TRICARE For Life (TFL) Users:** Medicare does not cover these treatments, and TRICARE will not pay as a second payer for unproven care.

Common scenarios

### Scenario 1: The Holistic Supplement A TRICARE Select beneficiary reads about an "Egyptian Liver Flush" based on the Ebers Papyrus. They spend $150 on specialized herbal tinctures. * **Outcome:** Out-of-pocket cost is **$150**. TRICARE will pay **$0** because herbs and supplements are not covered benefits.

### Scenario 2: Traditional Wound Salve A retiree in the TRICARE West region (TriWest) uses an ancient honey-and-lint recipe from the papyrus to treat a diabetic ulcer instead of visiting a doctor. The wound becomes infected. * **Outcome:** TRICARE will cover the resulting **Emergency Room visit** and **antibiotics** (subject to 2026 copays), but they will not reimburse for the ingredients used in the self-treatment.

## Related terms * **Exclusion:** A specific service or item that TRICARE does not cover under any circumstances. * **Experimental/Unproven:** Medical procedures or drugs that have not been proven effective by significant clinical trials. * **Formulary:** The list of brand-name and generic drugs covered by the TRICARE pharmacy program. * **Evidence-Based Medicine:** The use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. * **TRICARE Policy Manual:** The official document detailing what is and isn't covered by the Defense Health Agency.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil (Exclusions):** https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/Exclusions * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** https://health.mil/About-MHS/OATSD/Defense-Health-Agency * **FDA (Drug Approval Process):** https://www.fda.gov/drugs

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*Disclosure: TRICARE.Com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program. For official policy and coverage details, please visit TRICARE.mil.*