Emergency Care

Emergency care is care for an illness or injury that threatens your life, limb, sight, or safety. If you reasonably believe you have an emergency, always call 911 or your international emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency roomThe hospital department that provides emergency services to patients who need immediate medical attention..

Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Room

Make sure you visit an emergency room. Urgent care clinics offer quick walk-in services without an appointment, but these facilities aren’t considered emergency rooms. If you go to an urgent care clinic, make sure you follow your plan’s rules for getting urgent care. 

What is an emergency?

A medical emergency is the sudden and unexpected onset of a medical condition that: 

  • Is threatening to life, limb, or eyesight,
  • Requires immediate medical treatment, or
  • Manifests painful symptoms that require immediate response to alleviate suffering

Learn more about covered emergency services.

Still not sure?

Call the MHS Nurse Advice Line at 800-TRICARE, option 1. By calling the MHS Nurse Advice Line, you can:

  • Talk to a registered nurse.
  • Get health care advice.
  • Ask urgent care questions.
  • Get help finding a doctor.

Enrolled in a TRICARE Prime plan?

If you’re enrolled in a TRICARE Prime plan, contact your primary care manager within 24 hours or the next business day after you get emergency care.

TRICARE Prime plansTRICARE Prime plans include: TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Prime Remote, TRICARE Prime Overseas, TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas and TRICARE Young Adult-Prime include:

Looking to book an appointment online at a military hospital or clinic? Visit the Secure Patient Portal for more information.

Last Updated 11/20/2024