COVID Guidance

What to do if you're a TRICARE beneficiary

It's still important to follow CDC guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The more steps you and your family can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the safer you'll be.

It’s also important to identify the symptoms of COVID-19 and know when to seek help. COVID-19 affects people in different ways. Infected people have reported a wide range of symptoms–from mild symptoms to severe illness.

If your assessment instructs you to seek emergency care:

  • Dial 911. Tell the 911 dispatcher that you may have COVID-19.
  • Go to the emergency roomThe hospital department that provides emergency services to patients who need immediate medical attention.. If you can, call ahead to tell them you may have COVID-19.

Your assessment may also show you have symptoms associated with COVID-19. If you’re concerned about these symptoms or any non-COVID-19 symptoms, or if you have other health questions, you can:

  • Call the MHS Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), option 1.
  • Contact your primary care manager or your regional contractor. You can use secure messaging, if available. Call your military hospital or clinic hotline for advice.
  • Call your military hospital or clinic appointment line and ask to speak with your team nurse.
  • Schedule a virtual appointment with your primary care manager using your patient portal. Many civilian providers offer virtual telehealth appointments, too.

COVID Vaccines

CDC recommends everyone six months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness.

Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. Vaccination also reduces your chance of suffering the effects of Long COVID, which can develop during or following acute infection and last for an extended duration. If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past two months, get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself this fall and winter.

To date, hundreds of millions of people have safely received a COVID-19 vaccine under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history.

If you have concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine, you may contact the DHA Immunization Healthcare Support Center at 1-877-GET-VACC (1-877-438-8222) option 1 or Defense Switched Network (DSN) 761-4245, option 1, if you have questions about the vaccines or about an adverse event following vaccination.

The COVID-19 vaccine is covered like other vaccines. 

Where can I get a vaccine?
The availability of a COVID-19 vaccine may vary by location. Eligible TRICARE beneficiaries can make a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at a military hospital, clinic, or vaccination site. This includes US Family Health Plan (USFHP) enrollees.

You can also get a COVID-19 vaccine at:

COVID Boosters and Vaccines

Stay informed on information regarding vaccines and boosters, including for children. >>Learn more.

COVID-19 Department of Defense Vaccine Appointments

Schedule an appointment at a DoD vaccination site by visiting DHA Appointing Portal or a Military, Hospital or Clinic.

At the time of posting, this information is current. Visit www.cdc.gov or TRICARE COVID Guidance for the most current COVID-19 information.

Last Updated 9/21/2023