Respite Care

Are you the primary caregiver for someone injured on the line of duty, who is:

  • An active duty service member,
  • National Guard service member, or
  • Reserve service member?

TRICARE may cover respite care for you.

Respite care does not have:

  • Out-of-pocket costs
  • A benefit cap

TRICARE's Extended Care Health Option also provides skilled nursing and respite care for those who qualify. >>Learn more.

What is Respite Care?

  • Short-term care that provides temporary rest for primary caregivers.
  • You may receive 8 hours of respite care per day. You can get care up to 5 days each week.

Qualifying for Respite Care

Respite care is available to you if you are a service member’s primary caregiver, and if your service member:

  • Has a serious injury that has or may result in a disability. This could include a physical disability, or another extraordinary physical or psychological condition.
  • Has a condition that leaves them homebound.
  • Requires frequent primary caregiver interventions (more than two during the eight-hour period per day that the primary caregiver would normally be sleeping).
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 5/22/2025