Emergency Care

TRICARE covers emergency care to include professional and institutional charges and services and supplies that are ordered or administered in an . 

Emergency care means care for an illness or injury that threatens your life, limb, sight, or safety. If you reasonably believe you have an emergency, always call 911 or your international emergency number. Or, go to the nearest emergency room.

Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Room

Make sure you go to an emergency room. Urgent care clinics offer quick walk-in services without an appointment, but these facilities aren’t considered to be “emergency rooms.” If you go to an urgent care clinic, make sure you follow your plan’s rules for getting urgent care.

Enrolled in TRICARE Prime®?

If you’re enrolled in a TRICARE Prime plan:

  • Contact your primary care manager within 24 hours or the next business day after you get emergency care.
  • Be sure to follow up with your primary care manager for a referral for all specialty care to avoid point-of-service fees.

What Is an Emergency?

Examples of emergencies include:

  • No pulse
  • Severe bleeding
  • Spinal cord or back injury
  • Chest pain
  • Severe eye injury
  • Broken bone
  • Inability to breathe

See the chart below for more information.

Type of Emergency Description
Medical

The sudden and unexpected onset of a medical condition or the acute exacerbation of a chronic condition that:

  • Threatens life, limb, or eyesight
  • Requires immediate medical treatment
  • Manifests painful symptoms requiring immediate response to alleviate suffering
Maternity A sudden, unexpected medical complication that puts a mother or baby at risk
Psychiatric

When the patient is at immediate risk of serious harm to self or others as a result of mental disorder and requires immediate continuous skilled observation at the acute level of care.1

  • Pre-authorization isn’t required for emergency room care.
  • Admissions resulting from a psychiatric emergency should be reported to the regional contractor within 24 hours of admission or the next business day after admission but must be reported within 72 hours of the admission.

1Based on a psychiatric evaluation performed by a physician or other qualified mental health care professional with hospital admission authority

Disclaimer:

This list of covered services isn’t all-inclusive. TRICARE covers services that are and considered proven. Some services have special rules or limits, and some services are excluded. Learn how a benefit becomes covered.

Last Updated 9/19/2024