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.

• You’ll likely have a primary care manager at a military hospital or clinic who provides most of your care.
• If there isn’t an available military PCM, you’ll 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’ll 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 choose 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. Learn about drive time standards.

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 aren’t sure about your plan options:

• Use the Plan Finder.
• Call your regional contractor.

Some general guidelines: