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Urgent Care

Urgent medical care should be considered for health care concerns that do not threaten life, limb or eyesight, but need attention to prevent serious risks to your health. Your primary care manager (PCM) is your best resource for deciding where and when to get care.

Steps to take to obtain this care:

  1. Call your PCM or family doctor.
  2. If your PCM or family doctor cannot provide care on the day you call, you will be directed to use a local network urgent care provider, if medically appropriate. 
  3. Visit our Network Provider Directory or Telehealth Options page to locate an urgent care provider. When using the directory, type in your ZIP code and under "Specialty," select "Urgent Care Center" or "Convenient Care Clinic."

Approval Requirements

TRICARE Prime plans

TRICARE Prime beneficiaries, except for active duty service members (ADSMs) enrolled in TRICARE Prime, do not need a referral for urgent care and point-of-service charges will not apply when seeking urgent care from the following:

  • any network or non-network urgent care center (must be TRICARE-authorized)
  • any network primary care type provider (family practice, general practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or certified nurse midwife)

Active duty service members enrolled in TRICARE Prime still require a referral for urgent care; however, ADSMs enrolled in TRICARE Prime Remote do not require a referral due to their remote location.

Beneficiaries assigned to a military or civilian PCM should seek all non-emergency follow-up care with their PCM.

All other plans

  • There is no referral requirement for urgent care, and care may be rendered by any network or non-network provider.

Note: TRICARE Overseas Program enrollees who are traveling and seeking stateside urgent care do not require a referral.

Nurse Advice Line

TRICARE beneficiaries are eligible to call the Military Health System (MHS) Nurse Advice Line to get help making decisions regarding acute health problems. This advice line is available 24/7, by phone, web chat or video chat. It's staffed with professional registered nurses who will assist you in answering questions and provide help with decisions regarding self-care at home or when it is best to see a health care provider. 

To access the Nurse Advice Line, dial 1-800-TRICARE (1-800-874-2273) and choose option 1 or visit MHSNurseAdviceLine.com.

If overseas, visit MHSNurseAdviceLine.com to find country-specific numbers.