URGENT CARE GUIDE
TRICARE Urgent Care
Find TRICARE-approved urgent care near you. Save money, avoid long ER waits, and get the care you need for non-emergency situations.
Save Money: Urgent Care vs ER
Choosing urgent care over the emergency room for non-emergencies can save you $50+ per visit and hours of wait time. TRICARE covers urgent care with lower copays.
Urgent Care vs Emergency Room
| Condition | Urgent Care | Emergency Room |
|---|---|---|
| Minor cuts requiring stitches | ||
| Sprains and strains | ||
| Cold, flu, sore throat | ||
| Minor burns | ||
| Ear or eye infections | ||
| UTI symptoms | ||
| Chest pain or pressure | ||
| Difficulty breathing | ||
| Severe bleeding | ||
| Signs of stroke | ||
| Loss of consciousness | ||
| Severe allergic reactions |
When in doubt, call 911 or go to the ER. If you're unsure whether a condition is an emergency, it's better to be safe. TRICARE covers emergency care without prior authorization when you believe you're having a medical emergency.
Estimated Copay Comparison
| Plan Type | Urgent Care | Emergency Room | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRICARE Prime | $30 | $83 | $53 |
| TRICARE Select (Network) | $30 | $83 | $53 |
| TRICARE Select (Out-of-Network) | Varies | Varies | Check plan |
| TRICARE For Life | Medicare rates | Medicare rates | Significant |
* Copays are estimates for 2024/2025. Actual costs may vary. Active duty members generally have no copays.
Find TRICARE-Approved Urgent Care by Region
TRICARE coverage is managed by regional contractors. Find network providers in your area below.
Southeast Region
Humana Military
Common Network Providers:
NextCare Urgent Care
Multiple locations across region
CareNow Urgent Care
FL, GA, NC, SC
MedExpress Urgent Care
NC, SC, VA, TN
West Region
Health Net Federal Services
Common Network Providers:
Concentra Urgent Care
CA, WA, OR, AZ
Kaiser Permanente Urgent Care
CA, WA, OR
University Urgent Care
Multiple states
North Region
Humana Military
Common Network Providers:
Patient First
VA, MD, PA, NJ
AFC Urgent Care
Multi-state coverage
GoHealth Urgent Care
NY, NJ, CT
TRICARE Prime vs Select: Urgent Care Rules
TRICARE Prime
Contact your PCM first when possible
Notify PCM within 24 hours of urgent care visit
Use network urgent care centers
Active duty: No copay for urgent care
TRICARE Select
No referral needed for urgent care
Visit any network urgent care directly
Out-of-network visits covered but cost more
Copay typically $30 for network visit