TRICARE covers ambulance services for the following conditions:
- Emergency transport to a hospital
- Transfer from one hospital to another hospital more capable of providing the required care as ordered by a physician
- Transfers between a hospital or SNF and another facility for outpatient therapy or diagnostic services ordered by a physician
- Transfers to and from an SNF when medically indicated
Note: Payment of ambulance transfers to and from an SNF may be included in the SNF prospective payment system (PPS).
Air or boat ambulance is only covered when the pickup point is inaccessible by a land vehicle, or when great distance or other obstacles are involved in transporting the patient to the nearest hospital with appropriate facilities, and the patient’s medical condition warrants speedy admission or is such that transfer by other means is contraindicated.
TRICARE does not cover ambulance services for the conditions listed below:
- Nonemergency ambulance services used instead of a taxi service or other normal transportation means when the patient’s condition would permit use of regular transportation
Note: This is a benefit under the TRICARE Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) program when the beneficiary is being transported for ECHO services, but only if ambulance transport is required to ensure the beneficiary’s safety
- Transport or transfer of a patient primarily for the purpose of having the patient closer to home, family, friends, or a physician
- Any type of medicabs or ambicabs that function as public passenger services transporting patients to and from medical appointments
For more information about ambulance services, refer to Chapter 8, Section 1.1 of the TRICARE Policy Manual. For more information about emergency services, refer to Chapter 2, Section 6.1 of the TRICARE Policy Manual. |
