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Benefits A-Z

Safety Medical Supplies

Safety medical supplies are not a covered benefit; such as bath or toilet rails, helmets and childproof locks.

School Physicals

See physicals.

Screening Diagnostic Tests

Tests not related to a specific illness, injury or definitive set of symptoms are not covered, except for clinical preventive examinations. See preventive services for screening information.

Second Opinion

A second opinion is when a physician other than the one you have previously seen, gives his or her view about your health condition and how it should be treated. It does not include the treatment itself. Getting a second opinion can help you make a more informed decision about your care. More >>

Self-Help Courses

Self-help courses are not a covered benefit except for diabetes self-management training.

Sensory Integration Therapy

Not a covered benefit.

Services or Supplies Ordered by a Court or Government Agency

Not a covered benefit unless medically or psychologically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of a condition. 

Sex Changes

TRICARE may cover intersex surgery to correct ambiguous genitalia when it has been documented to be present at birth. All other services and supplies related to sex gender change, also referred to as sex reassignment surgery, are not a covered benefit. Exception: Active duty service members may be eligible for gender-affirming surgery evaluations under a blanket Supplemental Health Care Program waiver.

See also Gender Dysphoria Treatment.

Sexual Abuse Treatment

Sexual abuse treatment is a covered benefit if accompanied by a valid mental health diagnosis. Also see psychotherapy.

Sexual Inadequacy or Dysfunction Treatment

Not a covered benefit.

Shingles Vaccine

The shingles, also known as zoster, vaccine is a TRICARE covered benefit for beneficiaries age 50 and older. More >>

Shoes, Shoe Inserts, Shoe Modifications and Arch Supports

See orthotics.

Skilled Nursing Facility Care

A skilled nursing facility (SNF) admission is a limited benefit. More >>

Skin Cancer Screening

Skin cancer screening exams are covered at any age for beneficiaries with family or personal history of skin cancer, increased exposure to sunlight or clinical evidence of precursor lesions.

Sleep Study

Sleep studies are covered under limited circumstances. More >>

Smoking Cessation Counseling

Smoking cessation counseling is a covered benefit for all TRICARE beneficiaries, except those eligible for Medicare, who live within the United States. More >>

Smoking Cessation Products

Smoking cessation products such as gums, pills, lozenges, patches, or nasal sprays are a covered benefit under TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery and at military pharmacies. See also smoking cessation counseling.

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is covered to improve, restore, or maintain function, or to minimize or prevent deterioration of function. More >>

Sports Physicals

Not a covered benefit.

Spravato Nasal Spray

Spravato®, also known as esketamine, nasal spray is a limited benefit for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression for beneficiaries 18 and older. An approval from Health Net Federal Services, LLC (HNFS) is required for all beneficiaries. Ketamine administered through subcutaneous, sublingual, IV, injectable, nasal spray, or orally is not a covered benefit. TRICARE follows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) billing guidelines for Spravato, which specify use of CPT® codes G2082-G2083 rather than E/M codes. See our Spravato Billing Tips page for more information.

Providers should complete our Spravato Letter of Attestation and attach it to the authorization request. 

Cost Information

Spravato® is a registered trademark of Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc.
CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Substance use disorder treatment is a limited benefit. More >>

Surgery (General)

General surgery is a covered benefit when medically necessary and considered proven as part of the treatment plan. Assistant surgeon services are covered in limited circumstances when the services are considered medically necessary and when the complexity of the surgery warrants an assistant surgeon rather than a surgical nurse or other operating room personnel. Prior authorization may apply. Please see the Prior Authorization, Referral and Benefit Tool for additional information. See also ambulatory surgery, cosmetic surgery or bariatric surgery. If covered, the setting where the services are provided will determine costs; outpatient office settingambulatory surgery setting or inpatient hospital setting.

Surgical Sterilization

See birth control.

Surgical Sterilization Reversals

Surgical sterilization reversals are a limited benefit, and may be covered when medically necessary for the treatment of disease or injury.

Surrogacy

Services and supplies associated with maternity care, including antepartum care, childbirth, postpartum care and complications of pregnancy, may be cost-shared when the surrogate mother is a TRICARE beneficiary and has entered into a contractual agreement with the adoptive parents. The contractual agreement will be considered primary coverage. Any undesignated amount, or amount designated for medical expenses under the contract, must be exhausted before TRICARE will cost-share otherwise covered benefits for the TRICARE beneficiary.