Glossary
TRICARE terms, plainly explained
Active duty service memberAn active duty service member is covered by TRICARE Prime-family plans, pays nothing out of pocket for covered services, and must enroll when in-processing at a duty station.Ambulatory surgeryAmbulatory surgery is surgery you have and go home from the same day, usually at an outpatient surgical facility.Beneficiary categoryA beneficiary category is the group you belong to for TRICARE, such as active duty family member or retiree, which determines your plan options.Caregiver supportCaregiver support is help for the family members who care for wounded, ill, or injured service members and veterans, through TRICARE and the VA.Clinical trial (cancer)TRICARE covers participation in National Cancer Institute-sponsored Phase I, II, and III cancer clinical trials, with pre-authorization.Coordination of benefitsThe order in which TRICARE and another health plan pay a claim.CopaymentA copayment is a fixed dollar amount you pay for a covered healthcare service or drug.DEERSThe Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System — the record that decides whether you and your family are eligible for TRICARE, and the place to report changes in your life.Defense Health Agency (DHA)The Defense Health Agency is the Department of Defense combat support agency that runs the military health system, including the TRICARE health plan.Military OneSourceMilitary OneSource is a Department of Defense service for service members and families, reachable at 800-342-9647 or by secure chat.OptometryEye and vision care from a TRICARE-authorized optometrist — how often it's covered depends on who you are and which plan you're on.Other health insurance (OHI)Other health insurance is any health insurance you have besides TRICARE, such as a plan through an employer. By law, TRICARE generally pays after it.Outpatient careOutpatient care is care you get without being admitted to a hospital, such as office visits, lab tests, X-rays, and same-day surgery.PCMPrimary Care Manager — the provider or clinic responsible for coordinating your TRICARE Prime care.TRICARE Reserve SelectA premium-based plan for qualified Selected Reserve members and their families — medical and vision only, no dental or pharmacy.Respite careRespite care gives a family caregiver a temporary break; TRICARE's ECHO program offers in-home respite care to eligible primary caregivers.Temporary duty (TDY)TDY is a temporary assignment at a location other than a service member's permanent duty station.TRICARE East RegionThe eastern U.S. TRICARE region, administered by Humana Military — covers most of the eastern half of the country plus parts of a few border states.TRICARE PrimeTRICARE Prime is a managed care option where an assigned primary care manager handles most of your care and refers you to specialists.TRICARE SelectA self-managed preferred provider organization (PPO) plan — see any TRICARE-authorized provider, pay less by staying in-network.TRICARE supplementA TRICARE supplement is a private insurance policy that pays after TRICARE pays its share, reimbursing some of your out-of-pocket costs for civilian care.TriWest Healthcare AllianceTriWest Healthcare Alliance is the TRICARE West Region contractor, which runs the beneficiary portal and customer service for West Region beneficiaries.TYATRICARE Young Adult — a purchased plan extending coverage to an adult child up to age 26.Uniformed servicesThe uniformed services are the armed forces plus the commissioned corps of NOAA and the Public Health Service, and each decides who is eligible for TRICARE.Wounded warrior programsWounded warrior programs are Department of Defense and TRICARE resources for service members who are wounded, ill, or injured.