TRICARE Emergency Care While Traveling: Your Guide
*Disclaimer: TRICARE.Com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or part of the Department of Defense. For official policy and the most current data, visit TRICARE.mil.*
## Quick answer If you have a medical emergency while traveling, go to the nearest emergency room immediately. You do not need prior authorization to save a life, limb, or eyesight, but you must notify your Primary Care Manager (PCM) or regional contractor within 24 hours (or the next business day) to ensure your follow-up care is covered.
Details
### Defining an "Emergency" TRICARE defines an emergency as a medical condition that a "prudent layperson" (a reasonable person with average medical knowledge) believes could result in the loss of life, limb, sight, or cause permanent disability without immediate treatment. Examples include chest pain, severe bleeding, or poisonous ingestion.
### Steps to Take While Traveling 1. **Call 911 or go to the nearest ER:** Do not worry about "in-network" status in a true emergency. 2. **Notification is Key:** If you are enrolled in **TRICARE Prime**, you or a family member must contact your PCM or your regional contractor (Humana Military in the East; TriWest in the West) within 24 hours of admission. Failure to do so may result in "Point of Service" charges, which include a $300 deductible and 50% cost-shares. 3. **Pharmacy Needs:** If the ER writes a prescription, use a TRICARE retail network pharmacy to minimize out-of-pocket costs.
### Costs and Plan Specifics (2026 Rates) * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** $0 out-of-pocket for emergency care, but you must report the visit to your PCM to ensure your medical records are updated for readiness. * **TRICARE Prime (Retirees/Family):** If the visit is deemed a true emergency, your copay is typically $0 for Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs). For retirees, the 2026 copay for an ER visit varies by Group (Group A is usually $74; Group B is usually $81), provided the emergency is validated. * **TRICARE Select:** You do not need a referral for ER care. You will pay a deductible (if not met) and a fixed copay or percentage of the allowable charge. In 2026, Select Group A retirees typically pay approximately $156 per ER visit.
### Urgent Care vs. Emergency Care If your condition is not life-threatening (e.g., an ear infection or minor sprain), call the **Nurse Advice Line (1-800-TRICARE, Option 1)**. * **Prime Users:** Most Prime enrollees (except ADSMs) can visit a TRICARE-authorized Urgent Care center without a referral. * **ADSMs:** Active duty members **must** have a referral for urgent care to avoid out-of-pocket costs.
### International Travel If traveling overseas, contact **International SOS**. You may be required to pay upfront for emergency services and file a claim for reimbursement later. Keep all receipts and medical documentation.
## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** Must coordinate with their command and PCM. * **Active Duty Family Members:** Covered globally, but Prime users must notify contractors. * **Retirees and Families:** Subject to plan-specific copays and notification rules. * **National Guard/Reserve:** Covered under TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) while in a qualified status.
## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** Emergency care overview (https://www.tricare.mil/emergency) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** West Region provider and emergency instructions (https://www.triwest.com) * **Humana Military:** East Region emergency notification procedures (https://www.humanamilitary.com) * **Express Scripts:** Pharmacy benefits for prescriptions following ER visits (https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com)