Changes to Tricare Urgent Care & What They Mean for Military Families

Tricare is popularly thought of as one of the greatest perks of being a military family. It’s one of the most affordable health care options out there! #amen

On the other hand, if you’re a member you’ve likely joked with others about how you’re equal parts immensely grateful for this health insurance while also struggling to understand the ins and outs at times. Policies, regions, co-pays and more are constantly changing, which makes it hard to keep up with what and how much is covered.

Did you know that Tricare is offered to more than just active duty service members and their families? In fact, the main reason that Jamie has chosen to serve as an Army Reservist is so that our family can still utilize Tricare. Though our cost is quite different than what we were accustomed to when Jamie was active duty, we are so grateful to continue being members of this affordable health care plan.

Changes to Tricare Urgent Care

Also, did you also know that Tricare urgent care recently went through a significant overhaul and not only revised certain policies, but renamed them altogether? I didn’t until recently!

For example, unlimited urgent care services without preauthorization are covered by Tricare (big, big deal!) Also, Tricare Standard is now Tricare Select. Though I’ve been a Tricare Standard member for years, it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I learned that Standard was no longer “a thing” and that Tricare Select had replaced it. Though the policy changes are all listed on their website, I was completely unaware of this overhaul.

If I apparently had my head in the sand about all of these changes, I can’t be the only one who was/is in the dark!

So Tricare members, let’s get up to speed about the aforementioned topic of urgent care!

Effective on January 1st of this year, Tricare urgent care visits are now covered without preauthorization. Considering urgent care visits are typically utilized for a non-emergency illness or injury, being able to now skip the preauthorization portion truly expedites the process for patients to be seen by a doctor.

Regardless of whether you are on Prime, Select, or overseas, you do not need a referral to be seen at an urgent care facility. With that being said, I encourage you to click here to read more regarding co-pays and the cost of visiting an urgent care facility, if applicable.

Do you have an urgent care around the corner that you automatically run to if need to be seen pronto? Most of you would likely agree with me that when you need to be seen for something urgent (i.e. strep throat on a Saturday morning, sprained ankle while playing a ball game, an “out of nowhere” cold during a long-time planned vacation, etc.) anything that makes you feel like you can’t function properly until you’re treated), you don’t want to take the time to research which urgent care to go to!

MedExpress

Does it look like you live around one of these areas marked below? If so, there’s a good chance that there’s a MedExpress around the corner from you. I’ve teamed up with MedExpress to share with you why you should keep urgent care top of mind next time your family comes down with a sinus infection, a case of the flu, a broken bone, and more.

MedExpress currently has more than 250 centers in 19 states. This year, MedExpress has plans to open new centers in Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Colorado, and Illinois. They are expanding rapidly for many good reasons!

Convenience

• Appointments aren’t necessary and walk-ins are welcome every day between 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Services

• They treat everyday illness and injury – including treatment for common summertime injuries such as cuts, scrapes, rashes, bites, stings and burns  – as well as more advanced services including X-rays, IVs, labs, minor surgery, stitches and treatment for broken bones, sprains and strains.
• Local employees can use MedExpress for employer health services.
• MedExpress also offers routine physicals and immunizations that help work toward a healthier community.

The Right Team

• MedExpress prides themselves in being a neighborhood medical center, offering high-quality, convenient, and affordable walk-in-care.

To see if there’s a MedExpress near you that you can start using as your first pick for urgent care, click here to type in your zip code.

More: Having a Baby on Tricare Select

Let’s chat!

Have any of the Tricare urgent care policy changes affected you or your family in positive ways?

Have you ever visited a MedExpress location?

Thanks so much to MedExpress for sponsoring this post, a brand I’ve learned so much about the last few months and am thrilled partner with.