Does TRICARE cover ambulance services?

Direct answer: Yes, when medically necessary — emergency ground ambulance transport is covered when any delay could endanger your life or health, and air or boat ambulance is covered when a ground vehicle can't reach you or reach appropriate care fast enough.

Applies to: All TRICARE plans · All regions

Details

TRICARE also covers ambulance transfers between facilities when a receiving hospital is better equipped for your condition. Costs vary by plan and status: for Prime outpatient ambulance use, active duty members pay $0 and retirees pay $20; inpatient cost-shares differ. TRICARE will not cover an ambulance used like a taxi when regular transportation would have been medically appropriate, or used just to get you closer to home or family, unless that’s separately documented as medically necessary.

What to do next

Confirm this with your Primary Care Manager or regional contractor before scheduling — rules can vary by region and by service.