TRICARE Expansion

Do you or your family work for the United States Armed Forces? If so, you may be eligible for health care coverage through TRICARE, a primary provider of health benefits managed by the Defense Health Agency for military personnel and retirees. What TRICARE covers has changed in recent years, including an expansion of the TRICARE network and options for remote medicine and therapy. This article can help you understand what TRICARE changes might mean for you or a family member.

Perhaps the most significant recent change within TRICARE 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

Changes in health care services affirmed by the Department of Defense & Defense Health Agency

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

This TRICARE coverage extension is also thought to include coverage for telemental health, a term that explicitly defines TRICARE mental health services that are delivered remotely. In addition, TRICARE covers remote psychiatric services in some cases, such as medication management.*

*At the time of this publication, audio-only and videoconferencing options are covered through TRICARE. 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.

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

Many resources report that one of the major barriers to TRICARE mental health therapy is a lack of capacity. If you’re like many service members, you may reside in a heavily populated military installation with a limited number of mental health therapists nearby. However, when using telemedicine through TRICARE, your options might no longer remain restricted to therapists or psychiatrists in your area. This can make it much easier to find the help you need through TRICARE.

Better continuity of care

Increased discretion

Telehealth scheduling flexibility

Are there any downsides to the recent TRICARE changes? Finding a new TRICARE doctor & TRICARE West regions

TRICARE Expansion: From TRICARE East to new TRICARE West regions, overseen by the military health system

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’re not enrolled in TRICARE, open enrollment occurs annually in Nov. and Dec. If you live in Texas, Louisiana, or one of these listed above states, you may want to stay tuned for further announcements from your TRICARE network. The change hasn’t yet taken effect — your healthcare coverage will generally remain unchanged through Dec. 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 network representative to clarify your specific personal health needs and how TRICARE can support them. 

While TRICARE may cover certain telemental health services, BetterHelp does not currently accept TRICARE as a payment or insurance option.