Tricare telehealth appointments give Tricare beneficiaries a convenient way to access health care, doctors, medical advice and treatment from home or wherever they are. Using secure web portals and technology, telehealth saves users the hassle of going to a doctor's office, dealing with a commute or waiting room, taking time off work or away from their family, or any other stress that comes from visiting a physical location.
First added to Tricare benefits after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tricare telehealth appointments are here to stay for most Tricare users. And while not every type of appointment or therapy is available via telehealth, many are.
Available services depend on where you are physically located.
Does Tricare Cover Telehealth?
Tricare covers telehealth services for most Tricare users. Originally put in place as a free temporary allowance after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tricare officials announced in July 2022 that telehealth would become a permanent benefit but come with cost shares just like any other service. Users pay cost shares for telehealth services received after Sept. 5, 2022.
The cost shares for telehealth appointments are identical to those for in-person visits of the same kind, but just what those costs are depends on what Tricare plan you are using. For example, active-duty Tricare Prime users pay no cost share for urgent-care visits at an in-network provider, while those on Tricare Select pay $25 or $27 per visit.
Related: 6 Reasons You Should Use Tricare Telehealth If You Haven't Already
For Tricare for Life users, Medicare is the first payer for telehealth services. If Medicare doesn't cover the service, then Tricare for Life is the first payer. Tricare Overseas users should call their regional Tricare center for information on whether telehealth is permitted in their host country.
Active-duty users are required to get a referral for most types of telehealth visits.
Tricare Mental Telehealth Coverage
Tricare's telehealth coverage also extends to mental health appointments. Mental telehealth appointments can be especially convenient for users participating in talk therapy since the appointments don't require labs or vitals to be taken. Users also may be more comfortable and have an easier time accessing mental health appointments from their own homes or spaces.
While your current therapist licensed in the state in which you are receiving services might be covered by Tricare as a telehealth provider, users in Tricare East and Tricare West also can access telehealth mental health services through several different providers such as Talkspace, Telemynd and others. Just what types of mental health support services are available will depend on where you live.
Learn more about Telemynd for Tricare East.
Learn more about Telemynd for Tricare West.
Tricare East Telehealth
Tricare East, managed by Humana Military, allows telehealth coverage for a variety of needs through several different services.
Doctor on Demand is a telehealth provider that can address and treat a wide variety of problems, including many conditions that would typically send a patient to an urgent care center. Doctor on Demand also offers mental health services and chronic care management for issues such as those involving the thyroid, high cholesterol and diabetes, according to its website. Doctor on Demand is available in all Tricare East locations. Learn more about Doctor on Demand for Tricare East.
Expressable offers speech therapy via telehealth for adults and children, with goal tracking and education for caregivers. Visit Expressable's Tricare East page.
Teladoc Health provides urgent care, behavioral health services and dermatological services, all from the comfort of your home. Visit Teladoc Health's Tricare East page.
Talkspace provides mental health care for adults and teens along with psychiatry and medication management for adults. Therapists treat anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions and help participants form a more resilient mindset. Learn more about Talkspace for Tricare East.
Telemynd offers mental health support, including psychiatry telehealth in many locations. Unlike other types of specialists, Tricare Prime users don't need a referral to get mental health help through Telemynd or any other in-network, mental health provider. Visit Telemynd's Tricare East website.
SimpliFed offers telehealth breastfeeding and baby feeding support. The service provides education classes and up to six one-on-one appointments. Unlike other types of care, active-duty troops can use SimpliFed without a referral. Service availability may depend on location. Visit SimpliFed's Tricare page.
Tricare West Telehealth
Tricare West, managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance, provides a wide variety of telehealth options for beneficiaries. Some services, however, are available in only a few states.
Doctor on Demand provides a variety of urgent care, chronic care and mental health services for the Tricare West region. Doctor on Demand is available in all Tricare West locations. Learn more about Doctor on Demand for Tricare West.
Skytherapist offers urgent care, mental health care and psychiatry. An algorithm matches patients with providers. Learn more about Skytherapist for Tricare West.
Teladoc Health provides urgent care, mental health care, psychiatry and dermatology. Care is available 24/7 for certain non-emergency needs. Visit Teladoc Health's Tricare West page.
Telemynd offers mental health help, including psychiatry telehealth in most West Region states. Tricare Prime users don't need a referral for mental health appointments. Visit Telemynd for Tricare West.
Fusion Care Group provides mental health care and psychiatry in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Nevada. Learn more about Fusion Care Group for Tricare West.
NVelUp, Open Mind Health, SpringHealth and Talkspace provide mental health care and psychiatry.
Veterans Room offers mental health services to veterans and active-duty service members in Texas, Arizona and Washington. Visit Veterans Room's Tricare West page.
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