Pay, Benefits, Insurance, And Personal Arrangements

For BMT and technical-training orders lasting more than 30 consecutive days, you receive active-duty medical benefits when your orders begin and your eligibility is updated in DEERS. The service member is covered under a TRICARE Prime option. Eligible family members who are already registered in DEERS are automatically enrolled according to where they live: TRICARE Prime when they live in a Prime Service Area, or TRICARE Select when they live outside a Prime Service Area. Family members normally have 90 days from the automatic enrollment date to make an eligible plan change. Verify each family member’s enrollment after the orders begin instead of assuming that everyone was placed in the same plan.

Primary care manager: You may need to contact the TRICARE regional contractor or the assigned military clinic to confirm or request a primary care manager (PCM). Once the PCM is assigned, contact that clinic’s scheduling line to make the first appointment. The correct scheduling number depends on the assigned clinic, so use the clinic’s official website or the number provided by TRICARE rather than relying on an unrelated search result.

Routine appointments and online access: For later routine care, call the PCM or clinic to schedule an appointment. When the assigned military hospital or clinic supports it, you may also use the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal to request or book appointments, exchange messages, and review health information. Care outside the PCM and many specialty services may require a referral under TRICARE Prime.

Emergency care: For a true emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Do not delay emergency care to call ahead, and no referral or preauthorization is required. If you are enrolled in a TRICARE Prime plan, contact your PCM within 24 hours or the next business day after receiving emergency care. Give the PCM the emergency-room discharge instructions, doctor’s notes, and other records as soon as possible so follow-up care and any required referrals can be coordinated.

Urgent but nonemergency care: Urgent-care rules depend on whether the patient is the active-duty member or a family member and on the specific TRICARE plan. Before using an urgent-care center, confirm that the facility is TRICARE-authorized and check whether a referral is required. Calling TRICARE or the PCM first can prevent unnecessary out-of-pocket costs.

Current TRICARE information: National Guard and Reserve eligibility | TRICARE regions and contractors | Appointments and PCM guidance | MHS GENESIS Patient Portal | Emergency care

General rule: The most recent BMT information email, orders, amended orders, and instructions provided during out-processing or training control what applies. This FAQ explains the local process in more detail but does not replace newer written guidance.

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