TRICARE Prime Enrollment and Drive Time Standards

To enroll in TRICARE Prime you need to live:

1. Inside a Prime Service Area, or
2. Within 100 miles of a primary care manager 

Drive time standards - You should not have to drive* more than:

• 30 minutes from your residence to your PCM for primary care
• 60 minutes from your residence for specialty careSpecialized medical/surgical diagnosis, treatment, or services a primary care provider isn’t qualified to provide.

*These drive time standards don’t apply to active duty service members.

Understanding Your Drive Time Standards

If you live more than 30 minutes, but less than 100 miles from your PCM, you don’t need to take any action to keep your coverage. TRICARE will automatically apply a waiver to drive time standards (30 minutes – PCM and 60 minutes – specialty care), making it easier to maintain your relationship with your current PCM.

When you enroll in TRICARE Prime, if you want to select a military or network PCM that is within the 30 minute drive time standard, you’ll need to indicate that when you enroll. This can be done on the phone, by telling your regional contractor or checking the “Drive Time Access Standards” box on the TRICARE Prime Enrollment, Disenrollment and Primary Care Manager Change form.

Your Drive Time to a PCM Determines Where You Can Enroll

Your drive time will determine if you can select a military or network PCM. 

See the following scenarios:

Scenario 1: You live within 30 minutes of a military hospital or clinic.

• You’ll likely be enrolled at the military hospital or clinic.
• Check with your regional contractor to see if you are eligible to select a network PCM.

Scenario 2: You live more than 30 minutes from a military hospital or clinic.

• The military hospital or clinic will decide if they can accept your enrollment request.
• You’ll need to understand your drive time standards.  
• If you’re not able to enroll at the military hospital or clinic, you can select a network PCM.

Scenario 3: You live more than 30 minutes from a military hospital or clinic, but within 100 miles of a network PCM.

• You can select a network PCM.
• You’ll need to understand your drive time standards.
• TRICARE will automatically apply a waiver to drive time standards unless you take action.

Scenario 4: You live more than 100 miles from a military hospital or clinic.

• You can only enroll there if approved by the hospital or clinic director and the Defense Health Agency TRICARE Health Plan Office.
• If not approved, you can select a network PCM (see Scenario 3).

If You Can't Enroll in TRICARE Prime

If you're not sure about your plan options:

• Visit the Plan Finder
• Call your regional contractor

Some general guidelines:

Who are you?	You Can
Active Duty Service Member	Enroll in TRICARE Prime Remote
Active Duty Family Member	Enroll in TRICARE Prime Remote (if you live with your sponsor) Enroll in the US Family Health Plan (if available in your location) Enroll in TRICARE Select
Retired Service Members and Family Members	Enroll in the US Family Health Plan (if available in your location) Enroll in TRICARE Select