Definition
TRICARE Prime provides health care benefits for active duty members of the uniformed services including the Coast Guard, NOAA and the Public Health Service; qualified family members; retirees and their family members; and the spouses and children of deceased active duty and retired personnel. The program is an option similar to civilian health maintenance organizations (HMOs) which requires that beneficiaries enroll with a program that serves as a central source for all health care needs. Beneficiaries are assigned a primary care manager and receive assistance in making specialty appointments and claims filing. Enrollees receive their care within the integrated military and civilian network of TRICARE providers, pay an enrollment fee (waived for active duty members and their families), and pay significantly less for inpatient care and smaller co-payments for outpatient services received from civilian providers. There are no deductibles. Family members and retirees must choose to enroll in TRICARE prime. TRICARE is a regional managed care program administered by the Department of Defense (DoD) Health Affairs Office in collaboration with civilian contractors.
URL Name
NS-8000-9000-800
Third Level Code
NS-8000
Taxonomy Code
NS-8000.9000-800
Parent Code
NS-8000.9000
Family Code
N
Second Level Code
NS
Fifth Level Code
NS-8000-9000-800
Fourth Level Code
NS-8000-9000
Publication Status
Draft