TRICARE Prime Enrollment

To enroll in TRICARE Prime you need to live:

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

Where You Live Determines Where You Go For Primary Care

See the following scenarios:

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

  • If there isn’t an available military PCM, you will have a civilian 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 you as a patient.

  • If there isn’t an available military PCM, you will have a civilian 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 within your Prime Service Area.

  • You may choose to have a PCM at the military hospital. If one is available, DoD applies a waiver automatically unless you take action. For information on the drive time standards visit the TRICARE Access to Care Standards page.

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

  • You can only have a PCM at a military hospital or clinic if the military hospital or clinic leader and the Defense Health Agency TRICARE Health Plan Office approve your request.

  • If not approved, you can choose a network PCM.

If You Can't Enroll in TRICARE Prime

If you're not sure about your plan options:

Some general guidelines:

Who are you?

You can

Active duty service member

Active duty family member
  • Enroll in TPR (if you live with your sponsor)

Retired service members and family members

Were You Involuntarily Disenrolled?
If you would like to request reconsideration of involuntary disenrollment, late initial enrollment, or late change to coverage, contact your TRICARE contractor. 

Last Updated 8/22/2025