FALLS CHURCH, Va. – TRICARE has made the valuable treatment option of psychiatric partial hospitalization available to more beneficiaries by streamlining its certification procedure for this type of behavioral health care.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) at TRICARE-authorized hospitals are now considered TRICARE-authorized providers and no longer need a separate certification. Freestanding PHPs, however, must be certified and be participating TRICARE providers.
The TRICARE PHP benefit is provided through day, evening or weekend program options. Partial hospitalization care is usually provided for a minimum of three hours a day, five days per week. However, the TRICARE benefit also includes care sometimes referred to as intensive outpatient treatment, which may be provided three hours a day, three days a week. Because there are no “emergency” admissions to PHPs, prior authorization is required for all PHP admissions.
“TRICARE is committed to meeting the behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment needs of our service members and their families,” said Dr. Jack Smith, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for clinical and program policy. “Partial hospitalization programs can be helpful for those individuals needing assistance beyond traditional outpatient therapy.”
For more information about TRICARE’s behavioral health care options go to http://tricare.mil/MentalHealth or visit the regional contractors’ Web sites at:
• Health Net Federal Services (North Region) https://www.hnfs.net
• Humana Military Healthcare Services (South region) http://www.humana-military.com/
• TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West region) http://www.triwest.com
TRICARE is constantly working to increase its network of behavioral health providers. For more information about becoming a network provider call:
• Health Net - 1-800-541-3353
• Humana - 1-800-700-8646
• TriWest – 1-888-TRIWEST
About TRICARE Management Activity and the Military Health System
TRICARE Management Activity, the Defense Department activity that administers the health care plan for the uniformed services, retirees and their families, serves more than 9.5 million eligible beneficiaries worldwide in the Military Health System (MHS). The mission of the MHS is to enhance Department of Defense and national security by providing health support for the full range of military operations. The MHS provides quality medical care through a network of providers, military treatment facilities, medical clinics and dental clinics worldwide. For more about the MHS go to www.health.mil.
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