Convenient Clinic Care May Still Need a Referral

When you or your family members need urgent care that your primary care manager (PCM) cannot provide, you should know that Humana Military Healthcare Services, Inc. (Humana Military) has contracted with MinuteClinics,® which are located in many CVS/pharmacies.® MinuteClinics provide vaccinations, preventive services and care for some common illnesses such as earaches, fevers and rashes (see the Referral Requirements section below). Visit the MinuteClinic web site for more information.

TRICARE beneficiaries sometimes seek other treatment options for this level of care; such as at emergency rooms or urgent care centers. However, emergency rooms and urgent care centers often require long waits and can result in higher cost-shares and copayments than a visit to a PCM or MinuteClinic.
   

MinuteClinic Services

MinuteClinics are staffed with board-certified nurse practitioners specializing in family healthcare. They provide (with physician oversight) preventive vaccines, some screening tests and treat common illnesses on a walk-in basis. MinuteClinics do not replace your PCM, but they can be a convenient alternative for these services when your PCM is not available.

MinuteClinic nurse practitioners will typically send TRICARE beneficiaries back to their PCMs after visits for any follow-up care.
     

Referral Requirements

Active duty service members cannot be seen at MinuteClinics without referrals. All other TRICARE Prime enrollees can seek care with no referrals for vaccinations or other preventive services. However, if you or a family member goes to a MinuteClinic for anything other than a clinical preventive service, you should contact your PCM to obtain a referral. Copayments and cost-shares apply.
   

Locating a MinuteClinic

MinuteClinics are located at select CVS pharmacies across the South Region. To locate a MinuteClinic near you, visit  “Find a Provider,” then search by Specialty/Facility, and select “Facilities, Clinics or Other Healthcare Services,” where you can search by ZIP code, city or state.