Does TRICARE cover substance abuse treatment programs?

TRICARE provides comprehensive coverage for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, recognizing addiction as a medical condition requiring professional intervention. Covered services include inpatient rehabilitation and residential treatment programs, outpatient individual and group counseling, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs, medically supervised detoxification, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using FDA-approved medications such as naltrexone, buprenorphine, and methadone. Pre-authorization is required for inpatient and residential treatment programs, while outpatient counseling can be accessed directly under TRICARE Select or through a referral under TRICARE Prime. Active duty service members have no cost-share for substance abuse treatment and can self-refer for initial assessment. Substance abuse treatment records receive enhanced federal privacy protections under 42 CFR Part 2, and voluntary help-seeking is generally viewed favorably by the military. Family counseling related to substance use disorders is also a covered benefit.