Point-of-Service Option

With the point-of-service option, you:

• Can visit any 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
• Get routine care
• Don’t need a referral
• Pay more out of pocket (see fees below) 

The point-of-service option doesn't apply if you:

• Are an active duty service member
• Use a non-Prime plan
• Have a referral. (If you have a referral and/or authorization, your costs are the same as network costs.) 
• Have a newborn or adopted child (until enrolled in TRICARE Prime)
  • Note: Children are covered by TRICARE Prime for 90 days (120 days overseas) after birth or adoption as long as one other family member is enrolled. The point-of-service option won't apply to children during this time or until the date the contractor receives the enrollment form.
• Have other health insuranceHealth insurance you have in addition to TRICARE, such as Medicare or an employer-sponsored health insurance. TRICARE supplements don’t qualify as "other health insurance."
• Use the following type of care
  • Emergency care 
  • Preventive care from a network provider in your region**
  • In some cases, urgent care

**If you visit a network provider in another region without a referral from your PCM, you're using the point-of-service option.

Point-of-Service Fees

When you use the point-of-service option, you’ll pay:

• Point-of-service fees instead of your regular copaymentA fixed dollar amount you may pay for a covered health care service or drug.
• Any other fees charged by non-network providers

These fees don’t apply to your annual catastrophic cap.

Use the TRICARE Compare Costs tool to find your plan's co-payments and cost-shares.