Test to Treat Initiative
Get tested and treated in one place.
Testing/At-Home Tests
TRICARE continues to cover medically necessary COVID-19 tests ordered by a TRICARE-authorized provider and performed at a TRICARE-authorized lab or facility. Test types include diagnostic, tests for management of COVID-19, and serology/antibody tests.
FDA-approved at-home antigen rapid diagnostic test kits may be covered with a physician's order.
There are no copayments or cost-shares for covered tests.
Outside of the TRICARE benefit, options for obtaining free at-home tests without a provider's order include:
- The federal government is again offering residential households in the U.S. a limited number of free at-home antigen rapid diagnostic tests. To order, go to: www.covidtests.gov.
- In some cases, military hospitals and clinic personnel may provide at-home tests to TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries. Check with your local military hospital or clinic for availability.
- Search for a community-based testing site for no-cost COVID-19 testing options.
- If you have other private or employer-sponsored health insurance, you may be eligible for reimbursement for up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests per month (per individual) without a doctor's order under that health plan.
Reminder: The current mandate for private insurance companies to cover FDA-approved at-home COVID-19 tests without a physician’s order does not apply to TRICARE. Currently, TRICARE requires medical necessity and a physician’s order.
Treatment
Clinical Trials
TRICARE temporarily covers National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) sponsored clinical trials for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19.
Oral Anti-Viral Treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Paxlovid® and Molnupiravir® for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Paxlovid and Molnupiravir oral anti-viral treatments may be prescribed to those who have tested positive. Beneficiaries can fill prescriptions for these treatments at network, non-network or military pharmacies, subject to availability.
Monoclonal Antibody Treatment
Per the FDA’s EUA for COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies, high-risk beneficiaries ages 12 years and older may be eligible for monoclonal antibody treatment.
- Patients must have a positive COVID-19 test or COVID-19 exposure.
- A physician's order and prior authorization is required.
- TRICARE Prime referral rules apply.
Your doctor is your best resource for treatments that are right for you.
Vaccines
COVID-19 variants continue to spread, especially in areas where vaccination rates are low. Variants are THE reason to get vaccinated!
Children and Teens
The CDC recommends children ages 6 months and older get a COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone 5 years and older should also get a COVID-19 booster, if eligible. The pediatric dose is one-third of the adult dose and administered with smaller needles designed specifically for children.
Additional primary doses/boosters
The CDC recommends additional primary doses and boosters based on age, medical history and vaccine type.
Pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccines
The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
Flu + COVID-19 vaccines
You can get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.
Key websites
Check Your Symptoms
People with COVID-19 can experience a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Take an online assessment to easily check your symptoms.
Getting Your Health Care Back on Track
As pandemic restrictions have started to ease in many areas of the country, it’s important to make sure your routine and preventive health care is back on track.
- Don’t delay care. Medical facilities have protection measures in place if you need care. If you are not ready for an in-person visit, you can use our network directory to find providers who offer telehealth in your area. Remember, you can also access telemedicine and telemental health care services through Telemynd, Doctor On Demand or one of our other telehealth partners.
- Know your preventive care options. If you are due for a screening, you may qualify for a telemedicine visit or at-home laboratory testing. We offer disease management programs to help you stay on track!
- Stay on the immunization schedule. Get covered immunizations, including your annual flu vaccine, from network doctors and pharmacies at no cost to you.
- Do your part to improve your health. Now may be the perfect time to eat better, exercise regularly or quit smoking. Check out one of our wellness programs to get started.
- Make mental health care a priority. Emotional health is key to overall health. Don’t ignore it! Telemental health care is available, and many mental health services do not require a referral.
