Can Tricare Cover Therapy? Your Counseling Options For Mental Health

Do you or your family work for the United States Armed Forces? If so, you may be eligible for health care coverage through TRICARE—one of the primary providers of health benefits managed by the Defense Health Agency for military personnel and retirees. Many have found that the past few years have seen some important changes in what TRICARE covers, including an expansion of TRICARE options for remote medicine and therapy. This article can help you understand what those TRICARE changes might mean for you or a family member.

Perhaps the most significant recent change, from a mental health perspective, is the decision to make online or phone-based mental health treatment a permanent option for people with TRICARE. This might make it easier to make an appointment or maintain consistent health care even when you’re required to change locations for your job. 

While TRICARE may cover certain telemental health services, BetterHelp does not currently accept TRICARE as a payment or insurance option. Keep reading for a more detailed look at how therapy will look following these revisions to what TRICARE covers.

Are you finding it difficult to seek mental health care?

Online therapy can make it easier

What are possible mental health challenges for military families?

As a result, the military has placed a priority on addressing mental health challenges, leading to various changes to TRICARE health services. As of 2022, the Department of Defense publicly affirmed that they were launching an independent committee to review the effectiveness of the military’s programs, including TRICARE coverage, for suicide prevention and mental health. The recent expansion of TRICARE benefits may also represent an attempt to curb worrying trends in mental health outcomes for service members, veterans, and their families.

Covered therapeutic services

Your specific TRICARE coverage for mental health care will depend on which TRICARE insurance plan you have (for example, TRICARE Prime). In most cases, TRICARE covers medically necessary services that are proven, including inpatient and outpatient therapy. However, the costs of therapy can vary, with therapy costs generally being lower with in-network TRICARE versus out-of-network TRICARE providers. 

Mental health services covered by TRICARE

TRICARE Prime members are not required to obtain a referral for consultations with TRICARE network providers for office-based therapy or other types of TRICARE outpatient services. Individuals with TRICARE Select also have the freedom to visit any TRICARE-authorized provider without needing a referral. TRICARE members can find a provider or therapist by first asking their primary care provider or checking the TRICARE website.  

However, TRICARE may not cover all mental health therapy and services. One example of something TRICARE may not cover would be medication-assisted therapy that may be considered controversial (like narcotherapy with LSD). If your TRICARE plan does not cover therapy, you may have to explore other in-person and remote options for therapy. TRICARE covers some forms of therapy and some therapists. If you have questions about what therapy TRICARE covers, you can reach out to TRICARE_help@amedd.army.mil.

Exploring the remote therapy policies

*At the time of this publication, audio-only and videoconferencing options are covered. However, there may be exceptions for specific types of mental health treatment.

Like other types of medical care covered under TRICARE, only medically necessary telehealth services generally qualify. Active-duty service members also currently need a referral in order to use this TRICARE benefit. (Retirees and family members covered under TRICARE Prime do not.) When preparing to work with a mental health professional, especially outside of a TRICARE military hospital or clinic, you may want to double-check that they are a TRICARE-approved provider, meaning that TRICARE covers some or all of their costs.

Why does telemental health matter for users?

Despite the general prevalence of mental health challenges among military personnel, studies suggest that many TRICARE service members don’t receive treatment. This may not be because the TRICARE service member does not want help, however. TRICARE covers plenty of services that are likely helpful to TRICARE members. The unique dynamics of military life can make seeking and maintaining treatment through TRICARE difficult — and online services could help through TRICARE. Here’s how:

Expanded providers

Better continuity of care

Increased discretion

Telehealth scheduling flexibility

Are there any downsides to the recent TRICARE changes?

Another major change to possibly be aware of is the TRICARE reclassification of several U.S. states, moving them from TRICARE’s “East” to “West” regions. This isn’t generally related to remote therapy, but if you’re currently receiving therapy, you may need to find a new TRICARE doctor or therapist that is covered by your TRICARE plan. There is a chance your current TRICARE therapist might not be approved in your new region. 

The states affected by the TRICARE change at the time of this publication may include:

• Arkansas
• Illinois
• Louisiana
• Oklahoma
• Texas
• Wisconsin

If you live in one of these states, you may want to stay tuned for further announcements from TRICARE. The change hasn’t yet taken effect — your healthcare coverage will generally remain unchanged through 2023. Beginning in 2024, though, you may be under TRICARE West rather than TRICARE East. You may benefit from speaking with your service provider or representative to clarify your specific personal health needs and how TRICARE can support them. 

Is online counseling effective?