TRICARE Prime vs. Standard: Determine Your Plan & Benefits

TRICARE is a healthcare program for military personnel, retired veterans and their families. Within the TRICARE network, members can choose between several plans including TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Prime. Since TRICARE Prime requires enrollment, you should know whether you have TRICARE Prime. However, if you are unsure, there are a few people you can call for assistance.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact a TRICARE professional contractor in your local region. A complete list of regional contractors can be accessed online at tricare.mil/contacts. Be ready with your personal information, such as name, Social Security number, Department of Defense Benefits Number, date of birth and insurance card.

• 2

  Contact the TRICARE Online call center at 1-800-600-9332. Be ready with your personal information, such as name, Social Security number, Department of Defense Benefits Number, date of birth and insurance card.

• 3

  Call the contact number on the back of your insurance card, if you have it in your possession. If you have lost your insurance card or you never received one, contact TRICARE directly at 1-877-TRICARE or 1-877-874-2273.

• 4

  Look at your TRICARE benefits card. The benefits offered by TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Standard are different. For instance, TRICARE Prime does not require a co-pay for outpatient visits for active duty service members. TRICARE Standard requires a 15 percent co-pay for outpatient visits for active-duty members.