TRICARE Plans

TRICARE Prime

Active duty servicemembers and their dependents have access to free health care at military treatment facilities (MTF) through TRICARE Prime. Servicemembers are automatically enrolled, but dependents must enroll.

Highlights

• TRICARE Prime is free if you use a military treatment facility. There are no copayments, annual fees, deductibles or cost sharing. 

• You will have a primary care manager (PCM) that will see you first. Primary care managers:

  • Maintain health records
  • Provide primary care
  • Refer specialists, if needed
  
  

• Servicemembers and their eligible family members may keep TRICARE Prime after the servicemember separates from active duty. They must complete an application to re-enroll.

Drawbacks

• Beneficiaries must have a referral from their primary care manager before receiving any type of civilian treatment.

• Beneficiaries can only seek medical treatment at on-post facilities. Failure to do so can result in large out-of-pocket expenses.

Apply

Active duty servicemembers are automatically enrolled in TRICARE Prime, but their dependents must enroll. To enroll, complete TRICARE Prime Enrollment Application and PCM Change Form (DD Form 2876) and then submit it at your local TRICARE Service Center. Locations can be found by region or state at the TRICARE Service Center website.