TRICARE Mental Health Crisis Resources & Coverage
*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or affiliated with the Department of Defense. For official policy, visit TRICARE.mil.*
## Quick answer If you are in a life-threatening mental health crisis, call **988** (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to the nearest emergency room. TRICARE covers emergency mental health care without a prior referral, regardless of your plan or whether the facility is in-network.
Details
### Immediate Crisis Response (988) In the United States, dialing **988** connects you with the Military Crisis Line (Option 1). This service is free, confidential, and available 24/7 to all service members, veterans, and their families. Overseas, the numbers vary by location, but the 988 lifeline can be reached via localized toll-free numbers provided by the Defense Health Agency.
### Emergency vs. Non-Emergency Care * **Emergency Care:** If you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, you do not need an authorization. You can visit any hospital emergency room. TRICARE will cover the stabilizing care. * **Non-Emergency (Urgent) Care:** If you need to see a mental health professional quickly but are not in immediate danger, rules vary by status. Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) should contact their primary care manager (PCM) or military hospital first. Family members and retirees on TRICARE Prime or Select can often seek outpatient mental health visits from TRICARE-authorized providers without a referral, though some specialized services (like "intensive outpatient programs") require prior authorization.
### Regional Contact Information Under the T-5 contract (effective 2025/2026), these are the primary management entities for mental health authorizations and network provider searches: * **TRICARE East:** Managed by Humana Military. * **TRICARE West:** Managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance. * **Overseas:** Managed by International SOS.
### Costs for Mental Health Crisis Care (2026 Rates) * **Active Duty:** $0 for all medically necessary mental health care. * **TRICARE Prime (Retirees/Families):** Emergency room visits typically have a copayment (e.g., ~$75–$80 for retirees in 2026), but this is waived if you are admitted to the hospital. Outpatient mental health visits generally range from $25 to $40 per visit for Group A retirees. * **TRICARE Select:** You will pay a deductible and then a percentage or flat copay. For 2026, many Select beneficiaries see copays around $35–$60 for network mental health visits.
### Telemental Health TRICARE provides robust coverage for telemental health, which can be a vital resource if you are in a crisis but cannot leave your home. Doctors On Demand and Telemynd are common network partners for both East and West regions (TriWest and Humana Military).
## Who this affects Mental health crisis coverage applies to all TRICARE beneficiary categories, though the "pathway" to care differs: * **Active Duty Service Members:** Highest priority; must generally coordinate follow-up care with their MTF. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Can use 988/ER or outpatient network providers. * **Retirees and their Families:** Covered for emergency and outpatient care; standard cost-shares apply. * **National Guard and Reserve:** Covered under TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS). * **Survivors and Medal of Honor Recipients:** Covered under standard retiree or family member rates.
## Sources 1. TRICARE.mil - Mental Health Fundamentals: [https://www.tricare.mil/MentalHealth](https://www.tricare.mil/MentalHealth) 2. Military Crisis Line (988): [https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/](https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/) 3. TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region): [https://www.triwest.com/](https://www.triwest.com/) 4. Humana Military (East Region): [https://www.humanamilitary.com/](https://www.humanamilitary.com/)