TRICARE Prime and Tripler TRICARE Plus patients have 24-hour access to their providers through their Primary Care Clinic phone numbers. This may help you avoid unnecessary ER visits and keeps your doctors aware of your needs.

TRICARE is the Department of Defense's (DoD) military healthcare program. The TRICARE program today is worldwide, including Europe, Latin America and Pacific Regions. Hawaii is part of TRICARE West, along with Alaska and other western states.

TRICARE includes healthcare provided by both military clinics and hospitals, and care provided through the civilian healthcare program formerly Tripler Army Medical Center Guide known as CHAMPUS. TRICARE is now available in every DoD healthcare region.

The preferred option for many military members and families is to enroll in the Health Maintenance Organization known as TRICARE Prime. Under TRICARE Prime, first-time active-duty families are assigned a military Primary Care Manager (PCM). Retirees and their families can select either a military PCM or a civilian network provider.

The PCM serves as the medical manager for all healthcare needs, including preventive healthcare, care during illnesses, and referrals to specialists when needed. Since your PCM manages your healthcare needs, he or she will always be the first point of contact when you need healthcare.

If your PCM cannot meet a specific healthcare need, he or she will refer you to the appropriate specialty physician. The specialist will notify your PCM of his or her findings so that your PCM can continue to manage your care.

True emergency care may be an exception, and in such situations, you should go immediately to the nearest emergency room.

Under TRICARE Prime, active-duty family members receive healthcare at no charge, while nonactive- duty family members pay a nominal fee for authorized care with a provider outside of a Military Treatment Facility (MTF). Outpatient care in the MTF is at no charge.

The TRICARE Prime HMO offers the most comprehensive healthcare benefit, but it does have some restrictions. Please stop by one of our TRICARE Service Centers to learn more about TRICARE Prime, or call (888) 874-9378.