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Does TRICARE cover emergency room visits?
Verified by TRICARE.com Editorial Team
Updated 2024-12-01
AI-assisted (gemini, gpt-4o)
Quick Answer
TRICARE covers emergency room visits anywhere worldwide for true medical emergencies. No referral or authorization needed. Active duty pay nothing; others have copays.
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Key Takeaways
- Any ER worldwide covered
- No authorization for emergencies
- Copay often waived if admitted
- Use 911 for life-threatening
Detailed Answer
TRICARE emergency room coverage:
Fully Covered
- True medical emergencies
- Any emergency room
- Anywhere in the world
- No prior authorization
- No referral needed
What's an Emergency
- Life-threatening conditions
- Severe pain
- Risk of serious harm
- Sudden serious illness
- Major injuries
Examples
- Chest pain, heart attack
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe bleeding
- Stroke symptoms
- Serious injuries
- Poisoning
Costs
- Active duty: No cost
- Prime: $40-$85 copay
- Select: Copay + cost-share
- Waived if admitted
Important
- Use 911 for life-threatening emergencies
- Follow-up care may need referral
- Urgent care for non-emergencies
Helpful Tips
- Know emergency vs urgent
- Use urgent care when appropriate
- Follow up with PCM
Sponsored
What do most military families add to their TRICARE coverage?
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Supplemental health insurance is the most common addition — it covers dental, vision, and out-of-pocket costs that TRICARE leaves uncovered. Life insurance and a legal will are also highly recommended.
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