Point-of-Service Option

With the point-of-service option, you:

  • Can visit any TRICARE-authorized providerAn authorized provider is any individual, institution/organization, or supplier that is licensed by a state, accredited by national organization, or meets other standards of the medical community, and is certified to provide benefits under TRICARE. There are two types of TRICARE-authorized providers: Network and Non-Network. DS
  • Get routine care
  • Don’t need a referral
  • Pay more out of pocket

The point-of-service option doesn’t apply if you:

  • Are an active duty service member
  • Use a plan other than a TRICARE Prime option
  • Have a referral. (If you have a referral or authorization, your costs are the same as network costs.) 
  • Have a newborn or adopted child (until enrolled in TRICARE Prime)
    • Note: Children are covered by TRICARE Prime for 90 days (120 days overseas) after birth or adoption as long as one other family member is enrolled. The point-of-service option won’t apply to children during this time or until the date the contractor receives the enrollment form.
  • Have other health insuranceHealth insurance you have in addition to TRICARE, such as Medicare or an employer-sponsored health insurance. TRICARE supplements don’t qualify as "other health insurance."
  • Get the following types of care:
    • Emergency care 
    • Preventive care from a network provider in your region. If you visit a network provider in another region without a referral from your PCM, you’re using the point-of-service option.
    • In some cases, urgent care

Point-of-Service Fees

When you use the point-of-service option, you’ll pay:

  • Point-of-service fees instead of your regular copaymentA fixed dollar amount you may pay for a covered health care service or drug.
  • Any other fees charged by non-network providers

These fees don’t apply to your annual catastrophic cap.

Use the TRICARE Compare Costs tool to find your plan’s copayments and cost-shares.

Last Updated 11/27/2024