It is common for active duty service members (ADSMs) to experience feelings of stress, depression and anxiety. There are positive, proven methods for dealing with trauma and grief, and TRICARE ensures that behavioral health care is available to you, if and when you need it.
Getting Started
Take the first step by talking to your primary care manager (PCM). Your PCM can help determine which type of care is best for you.
ADSMs have no costs for medically necessary behavioral health care. You do not need a referral for military treatment facility (MTF) care, but you must have prior authorization and/or a referral for civilian care. Your location and program option determine who provides referrals and authorizations for care.
For more information, visit the
Behavioral Health portal or call Humana Military’s behavioral health care partner, ValueOptions at 1-800-700-8646.
Emergency Care
If you have a behavioral health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You do not need prior authorization or a referral. However, if you are admitted, call your PCM within 24 hours or on the next business day to coordinate further care.
Nonemergency Care
Always seek nonemergency behavioral health care at an MTF, if possible. If MTF care is not available, your PCM will refer you for civilian care.
TRICARE-covered outpatient services may include psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, psychological testing and medication management. Covered inpatient services may include acute psychiatric care, psychiatric partial hospitalization program care, and substance abuse treatment (e.g., detoxification, rehabilitation). Visit the
TRICARE Prime Handbook Behavioral Health section, or contact your TAO or TGRO Alarm Center for more information.
If you are a stateside ADSM, you are also eligible for the
TRICARE Assistance Program (TRIAP), the Telemental Health program and Military OneSource.
- TRIAP provides online access to counseling for short-term, non-medical issues, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can use your home computer and a Webcam to discuss everyday issues (e.g., family difficulties, deployments and stress management) with a licensed counselor. TRIAP services are confidential and non-reportable (not documented on your military health record).
- The Telemental Health program allows you to visit certain TRICARE-authorized facilities to access behavioral health care services, including clinical consultations, psychotherapy, psychiatric diagnostic interview examinations and medication management. You will use secure audio-visual conferencing to receive care from TRICARE providers at remote locations.
- Military OneSource offers up to 12 cost-free, confidential counseling sessions to eligible military personnel and their family members. Counseling is available in person or by phone and addresses non-medical issues such as grief and loss, deployment adjustment, work/life management and combat stress. For more information, visit the Military OneSource web site or call 1-800-342-9647.
