Getting Care During COVID-19

Whether directly or indirectly, COVID-19 has affected people in different ways. You have options on how you can get care. How you get care depends on which TRICARE plan you use.

If you Then
Have been exposed to COVID-19.

Contact:
Have COVID-19 symptoms. You can check your symptoms using the DoD COVID-19 Symptom Checker.
Have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

You can recover from COVID-19 at home. Follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) instructions on how to take care of yourself at home. If your symptoms become severe, contact:
Use Medicare and TRICARE For Life, and you need to be tested.  
  • Contact your provider to assess if a test is needed. Medicare covers the lab tests for COVID-19. You pay no costs.
  • TRICARE acts as second payer for Medicare, for services covered by both Medicare and TRICARE.
Need telehealth services or access to telemedicine.  
  • Contact your TRICARE-authorized providerAn authorized provider is any individual, institution/organization, or supplier that is licensed by a state, accredited by national organization, or meets other standards of the medical community, and is certified to provide benefits under TRICARE. There are two types of TRICARE-authorized providers: Network and Non-Network. DS to confirm they offer the service you need.
  • TRICARE is temporarily waiving copays or cost-shares for telehealth services. This is for TRICARE covered services from in-network providers.
Need an elective surgery at a military hospital or clinic. Contact your local military hospital or clinic. Your provider may be able to perform your inpatient or outpatient elective surgeries.
Need care at a military hospital or clinic or Dental Treatment Facility (DTF).
  
  • Schedule your appointment as needed.
  • Military hospitals and clinics and DTFs may provide routine appointments and exams, if available.
Need to get medication at a military pharmacy. Contact your military pharmacy to learn about pickup options and safety rules.

You may be able to use an online scheduling tool to book your COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a DoD vaccination site.

>>Learn more.

There’s no cost for the COVID-19 vaccine itself. But there may be a cost based on your health plan for an office visit with a provider, or if you require follow-on care. >>Learn more
TRICARE covers the use of investigational drugs for the treatment of serious or life-threatening cases of COVID-19. These drugs don't apply to drugs given under the TRICARE Pharmacy Program. This coverage is temporary during the national health emergency due to the pandemic.
The three-day prior hospital stay requirement before a skilled nursing facility admission has been waived. This waiver is temporary during the national health emergency due to the pandemic.

Last Updated 4/19/2021