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Which TRICARE services need authorization

Pre-authorization is approval from the contractor before the visit. It is not the same step as a referral.

Last reviewed October 3, 2026 · Confirm time-sensitive details with the official program.

Official decisions come from TRICARE. This guide helps organize public information; verify eligibility, coverage, deadlines, costs, and contacts at TRICARE.mil.

A referral and a pre-authorization are different

A referral is the step that sends you to another clinician. A pre-authorization is the regional contractor approving the care before the appointment. On TRICARE Prime, specialty care usually needs both, and your primary care manager requests them together. On TRICARE Select, TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Retired Reserve, TRICARE For Life, and TRICARE Young Adult-Select, you usually do not need a referral for primary or specialty care. Some procedures still need pre-authorization. Applied behavior analysis needs a referral.

The contractor’s letter is the approval. Care outside that letter can leave you paying the point-of-service charge. Check the service on the referrals page, or look up the request in the contractor’s portal, before you go.