While TRICARE covers formulas and vitamins for enrollees with metabolic disorders, TRICARE doesn't cover regular baby formula for otherwise-healthy infants. TRICARE also doesn't directly ship baby formula to beneficiaries. Parents with children who have a medical need for specialized formula should work with their pediatrician, Primary Care Manager, or specialist in case they can't get the formula they need.
Simple measures can protect you and your community. 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. Do you think you may have COVID-19? Use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Coronavirus Self-Checker.
Why should I get the vaccine?
According to the CDC, a COVID-19 vaccine is an important tool in stopping the pandemic. It’s an effective way to lower your risk of contracting COVID-19. And it may help keep you from getting seriously ill if you do catch the virus. Unvaccinated individuals are more likely to have severe disease and be hospitalized. >>Learn more.
Getting vaccinated also protects the health of the people around you—especially those who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
What should I do if I feel sick or think I was exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19?
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been in close contact with a person sick with COVID-19, or traveled to an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19, don’t make an appointment or walk into your local military hospital or clinic. Instead, stay at home and speak with a Military Health System (MHS) registered nurse, who will assess your symptoms. The nurse can screen you for potential or suspected exposure or infection. If needed, they can coordinate a virtual visit with a health care provider.
Looking to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine for your child, ages 5-15? Call first to make sure they have the vaccine you need.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 spreads person-to-person, generally between people within 6 feet from one another. It also spreads through respiratory droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person.
Although some spread appears to be possible before people show symptoms, people with COVID-19 are the most contagious when they’re very sick. Some spread may be possible before people show symptoms. That’s why you should stay home if you believe you’re experiencing any virus-like symptoms.
It's still important to follow CDC guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This includes:
The more steps you and your family can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the safer you'll be.
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.
Can I pick up free at-home COVID-19 tests at a military hospital or clinic?
Most military hospitals and clinics are distributing at-home COVID-19 tests to any eligible TRICARE beneficiaries. Contact your nearest military hospital or clinic about availability. >>Learn more
You may be able to use an online scheduling tool to book your COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a DoD vaccination site.
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
Starting Jan. 14, 2022, TRICARE will cover paxlovid and molnupiravir to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19. To get these oral antivirals, you must have an order from a 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. The CDC highly encourages patients get a COVID-19 test early after known or suspected exposure or as soon as symptoms are present. This is because these antivirals work best during the early stages of COVID-19 infection.
You’ll be able to get these drugs at no cost from:
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.
The federal government is offering free at-home COVID-19 tests. >>Learn more
At the time of posting, this information is current. Visit www.cdc.gov or TRICARE COVID Guidance for the most current COVID-19 information.
