How to get mental health care through TRICARE?

Accessing mental health care through TRICARE is designed to be accessible and confidential. Under TRICARE Prime, you can see your PCM for initial mental health concerns, who can provide treatment or refer you to a specialist. Notably, the first eight outpatient mental health visits per year do not require a referral or pre-authorization under Prime. Under TRICARE Select, you can go directly to any TRICARE-authorized mental health provider without a referral. To find mental health providers, use your regional contractor's provider directory and filter by mental health specialties including psychiatry, psychology, clinical social work, and licensed professional counseling. TRICARE covers individual therapy, group therapy, family counseling, psychiatric medication management, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, and inpatient psychiatric care. For crisis situations, call the Military Crisis Line at 988 (press 1), the Veterans Crisis Line, or go to the nearest emergency room. Military OneSource offers confidential counseling (up to 12 sessions) at no cost for non-medical concerns. Active duty members can self-refer to mental health services. TRICARE emphasizes that seeking mental health care is a sign of strength, and services are designed to be accessible with minimal barriers.