Frequently Asked Questions

What is TRICARE Prime Remote?

 

TRICARE Prime Remote (TPR) is a managed care option available in remote areas of the United States. By law, you can only use TPR if both your sponsor's home and work addresses are more than 50 miles (or one hour's drive time) from a military hospital or clinic. If you’re a retiree or a family member of a retiree, you can't enroll in TPR. To check if you qualify, use the Plan Finder Tool or call your regional contractor. To learn more about TRICARE Prime Remote, visit the TRICARE Prime Remote page.

Costs:

• There is no enrollment fee.
• There are no copayments for care if you get care from your primary care manager (PCM) or with a referral.

Providers:

• You get most of your care from your primary care manager. You may have a network PCM, if available. If not, you may use 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.

Referrals and Authorizations:

• Your PCM must refer you for any care they can’t provide.
• Active duty service members need a referral for urgent care, routine, preventive and specialty careSpecialized medical/surgical diagnosis, treatment, or services a primary care provider isn’t qualified to provide..
• Your PCM works with your regional contractor for referrals and authorizations. If you see a provider without a referral, you’re using the point-of-service option.

Covered Services:

Visit the Covered Services page to find out if your service is covered.

Pharmacy Benefits:

Included, part of the TRICARE Pharmacy Program. To learn more, visit the Pharmacy page.

Dental Benefits:

• Not included. You may buy separate dental coverage. To learn more, visit the Dental Care page. 
• If you’re an active duty service member, you have coverage under the active duty dental benefits.

Vision Benefits:

• Available but depends on who you are, and the type of vision care you need. To learn more, visit the Vision page.
• You may have the option to enroll in vision coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). To learn more, visit BENEFEDS.gov.