TRICARE Mental Health Costs & Coverage (2026 Guide)
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## Quick answer Active duty service members pay **$0** for all covered mental health care. For all other beneficiaries, costs depend on your plan (Prime vs. Select) and the provider's status; in-network outpatient visits typically range from **$22 to $42** in 2026, while many preventive and office-based services have no copay for those on Prime.
Details
Mental health coverage is a core TRICARE benefit. While the care itself is covered, your "out-of-pocket" exposure is dictated by your beneficiary category (Group A vs. Group B) and your specific plan.
### Outpatient Care (Therapy & Office Visits) Outpatient mental health includes individual therapy, family therapy, and psychiatric medication management.
* **TRICARE Prime:** Retirees and their families usually pay a flat copayment (e.g., **$22** per visit for 2026) when seeing a network provider. Active duty family members (ADFMs) on Prime typically pay **$0** for in-network care. * **TRICARE Select:** Costs are higher. You will typically pay a deductible first, followed by a fixed copay or a percentage of the allowable charge (e.g., **$37–$42** per visit for 2026). * **Point of Service (POS):** If you are on Prime but see a mental health provider without a referral (when one was required), you will pay a **50% cost-share** after meeting your POS deductible.
### Inpatient Care & Residential Treatment Costs for inpatient psychiatric stays or Residential Treatment Centers (RTC) are calculated differently: * **Active Duty:** $0. * **ADFMs on Prime:** $0. * **Retirees on Prime:** A fixed daily rate (e.g., approximately **$20–$30 per day** for 2026). * **Select Beneficiaries:** Usually a flat fee per admission or a percentage of the total cost (20–25%), depending on Group status.
### Non-Network Providers If you see a provider who is "Non-Participating," you may be responsible for up to **15% above the TRICARE-allowable charge** in addition to your standard cost-share. To keep costs predictable, always prioritize network providers managed by **Humana Military (East)** or **TriWest (West)**.
### Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) These mid-level care options are covered when medically necessary. In 2026, many Prime beneficiaries pay **$0** for these programs, while Select beneficiaries pay a daily copayment or a percentage of the cost.
## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** Always $0 for covered care. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFM):** Variable, usually $0 on Prime. * **Retirees and their families:** Pay copayments or cost-shares. * **National Guard & Reserve (TRICARE Reserve Select):** Pay a monthly premium plus cost-shares. * **TRICARE For Life:** Costs are usually covered by Medicare and TRICARE together, resulting in $0 for most covered services.
## Sources 1. **TRICARE.mil:** [Mental Health Covered Services](https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/MentalHealthCare) 2. **TRICARE.mil:** [Cost Terms and Definitions](https://www.tricare.mil/Costs/Cost-Terms) 3. **Humana Military (East Region):** [Behavioral Health Resources](https://www.humanamilitary.com/beneficiary/health-and-wellness/behavioral-health) 4. **TriWest (West Region):** [Mental Health Care Overview](https://www.triwest.com/en/beneficiary/care-and-health/mental-health/)