Step 1: How to Enroll in TRICARE (Do This First!)
Before you can use TRICARE, you need to be enrolled in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System).
🔹 How to Enroll in DEERS:
1️⃣ Your spouse must add you to DEERS at a local ID card office (bring marriage certificate and photo ID).
2️⃣ Once enrolled, you'll receive a Uniformed Services ID Card, which acts as your proof of military healthcare eligibility.
🛠 TRICARE Pro Tip: If you change duty stations, have a baby, or get divorced, update DEERS immediately—or you could lose access to care.
Read this, too: What You Need to Know About DEERS and More
Step 2: How to Choose the Right TRICARE Plan
TRICARE isn't one-size-fits-all—there are multiple plans, and choosing the right one depends on where you live and how you prefer to receive care.
The Main TRICARE Plans for Spouses:
🏥 TRICARE Prime (Best for those living near a military base)
✔ Lower out-of-pocket costs
✔ Must use military treatment facilities (MTFs)
✔ Requires referrals to see specialists
🏥 TRICARE Select (Best for those who want more provider flexibility)
✔ No referrals needed for specialists
✔ Higher out-of-pocket costs (like civilian insurance)
✔ Choose any TRICARE-authorized provider
🏥 TRICARE Reserve Select (For spouses of Reserve/Guard members)
✔ Functions like civilian health insurance
✔ Monthly premiums + copays
🏥 TRICARE Young Adult (For kids 21-26)
✔ Extension of TRICARE for young adults not covered by parents' plan
🛠 TRICARE Pro Tip: If your spouse is on active duty, you're automatically eligible for TRICARE Prime or Select—you just have to enroll!
Step 3: How to Find a Doctor & Get Care
Once you're enrolled, here's how you actually see a doctor under TRICARE.
✔ If You Have TRICARE Prime:
- You'll be assigned a Primary Care Manager (PCM) (usually at a military hospital/clinic).
- To see a specialist, you need a referral from your PCM.
✔ If You Have TRICARE Select:
- You can visit any TRICARE-authorized provider without referrals.
- You'll pay copays for each visit (check TRICARE's website for current rates).
🔹 Emergency Care: TRICARE covers ER visits at civilian hospitals, but you'll need to inform TRICARE within 24 hours if you're seen off-base.
🔹 Urgent Care: If you have Prime, you may need a referral before going to urgent care. Select users can go to any urgent care center.
🛠 TRICARE Pro Tip: Always call TRICARE first if you're unsure about coverage—it can save you from unexpected medical bills.
Step 4: How to Understand Costs & Coverage
While TRICARE is cheaper than civilian insurance, it's not completely free (except for active-duty service members).
💰 What You Might Pay:
- TRICARE Prime: Little to no costs (small copays if seen off-base).
- TRICARE Select: Annual deductible + copays for each visit.
- Prescription Costs: Military pharmacies are free; civilian pharmacies have copays.
🛠 TRICARE Pro Tip: Use military pharmacies for free prescriptions—it saves you hundreds per year.
Step 5: What TRICARE Covers (and What It Doesn't)
✅ What's Covered:
✔ Preventive care (check-ups, screenings, immunizations)
✔ Hospitalizations and surgeries
✔ Maternity care
✔ Mental health services
✔ Emergency and urgent care
🚫 What's NOT Covered (or Requires Extra Steps):
❌ Dental care (covered under a separate plan)
❌ Vision care (limited for spouses—mostly covered for kids)
❌ Certain elective procedures (e.g., LASIK, cosmetic surgery)
🛠 TRICARE Pro Tip: If you need dental or vision care, consider enrolling in the FEDVIP plan (separate military dental/vision coverage).
Final Thoughts
Navigating TRICARE can feel overwhelming at first, but once you understand the basics, it becomes much easier to use.
➡️ Join the Conversation! Have a TRICARE question? Drop it in the comments!
🔗 Need more military spouse resources? Visit MachoSpouse.com!
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