TRICARE Telemedicine Coverage & Costs (2026)
*TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not a government agency. For official policy and enrollment, visit TRICARE.mil.*
## Quick answer TRICARE covers telemedicine (telehealth) services that are medically necessary and mirrors the coverage provided for in-person visits. You can see a doctor via video or phone for primary care, mental health, and specialty consultations, often with the same copays as a standard office visit.
Details
TRICARE’s telehealth policy allows you to receive care from your home or a local clinic using secure video conferencing or audio-only communication. While the clinical requirements are strict, the convenience for beneficiaries has expanded significantly under the T-5 contract transition.
### Covered Services TRICARE covers many services via telehealth, provided they are clinical in nature: * **Routine Office Visits:** Primary care and specialty consultations. * **Mental Health:** Telemental health for individual psychotherapy and psychiatric evaluations. * **Urgent Care:** Non-emergency symptoms like allergies, cold/flu, or skin rashes. * **Teledermatology:** Remote review of skin images by a specialist.
### Costs and Requirements (2026 Rates) Your out-of-pocket costs for a telehealth visit are generally the same as if you saw the provider in person. * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** $0 out-of-pocket, but usually require a referral from their Primary Care Manager (PCM). * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** * **TRICARE Prime:** $0 for visits to network providers. * **TRICARE Select:** Group A retirees and families pay a standard copay (approx. $25–$40 depending on status). * **Retirees:** Group A and B copays vary—check TRICARE.mil for specific 2026 rates, as these are adjusted annually for inflation.
### Finding a Provider The process for finding a telehealth provider depends on your region: * **East Region (Humana Military):** Use the Humana Military provider directory to search for "telemedicine" capable providers. * **West Region (TriWest Healthcare Alliance):** Following the January 1, 2025 transition, TriWest offers access to its network of telehealth-enabled providers. * **Doctor On Demand / Telemynd:** TRICARE often utilizes third-party platforms specifically for mental health and urgent care. Depending on your plan, you may not need a referral for mental health telehealth, but Active Duty members always should check with their PCM first.
### Exclusions and Limitations TRICARE does not cover "administrative" telehealth, such as calling to check on a prescription refill or scheduling an appointment. Additionally, the technology used must be HIPAA-compliant (standard FaceTime or Skype are generally discouraged in favor of secure portals provided by the doctor).
## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** Requires PCM coordination. * **Active Duty Family Members:** On Prime or Select plans. * **Retirees and their Families:** Includes TRICARE For Life (TFL) beneficiaries when Medicare is the primary payer. * **National Guard and Reserve:** Beneficiaries using TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS). * **Survivors:** Eligible family members of deceased service members.
## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Telemedicine Policy](https://www.tricare.mil/coveredservices/isitcovered/telemedicine) * **Humana Military (East):** [Telehealth Services](https://www.humanamilitary.com) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West):** [Provider Directory and Telehealth](https://www.triwest.com) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [T-5 Contract Guidance](https://health.mil)