02-24-2022, 11:08 PM
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and go to the doctor to get tested, will TRICARE cover your visit
and your test? Will TRICARE cover your COVID-19 test if you don’t have symptoms but want to get a
test for peace of mind? If you’re confused about COVID-19 tests and what TRICARE covers, be sure you
check out the latest information on the TRICARE website https://www.tricare.mil/covid19testing.
“As COVID-19 cases rise, we know that more and more of our TRICARE beneficiaries may want to
get tested,” said Elan Green, chief of the Medial Benefits and Reimbursement Section for the TRICARE
Health Plan with the Defense Health Agency. “If you have questions about what’s covered and how to
access care you can review TRICARE COVID-19 information at https://www.tricare.mil/coronavirus or
reach out to your TRICARE contractor or medical provider.”
When it comes to COVID-19 testing, you should first know that TRICARE covers COVID-19 tests
when they’re medically necessary. To be medically necessary means it is appropriate, reasonable, and
adequate for your condition. A TRICARE-authorized provider must order the Test. And the provider must
perform the test at a TRICARE-authorized lab or facility. If you got an approved COVID-19 test done and
paid a copayment for the test or related office visit, you can file a claim for reimbursement.
An authorized provider is any individual, institution/organization, or supplier that is licensed by a state,
accredited by national organization, or meets other standards of the medical community, and is certified
to provide benefits under TRICARE. There are two types of TRICARE-authorized providers: Network
and Non-Network. DS must order the test. And the provider must perform the test at a TRICARE-
authorized lab or facility. To further help you understand your benefits, here are answers to some of the
most popular questions about COVID-19 testing and TRICARE. Make note of them before you or a family
member gets tested.
Q: Does TRICARE cover COVID-19 testing for active duty service members who have symptoms of
COVID-19?
A: Yes. You should get a COVID-19 test at a military hospital or clinic when it’s possible. Report your
results through your unit and medical channels. If you’re a National Guard or Reserve member called or
order to active duty for more than 30 days, you must show as TRICARE-eligible in the Defense Enrollment
Eligibility Reporting System, also known as DEERS. Your provider should reflect COVID-19 coding on
the claim. Your provider will process the claim under the Supplemental Health Care Program.
Q: Does TRICARE cover COVID-19 testing for active duty service members who don’t have symptoms
of COVID-19?
A: It depends. TRICARE will cover your test if it’s required to support your unit’s readiness mission or
your deployment status. Report your results through your unit and your medical channels. You should get
your test done through your service channels or at military hospital or clinic when possible.
Q: If you have TRICARE For Life, will TRICARE cover your COVID-19 testing?
A: It depends. You must follow the Medicare coverage rules. TRICARE will process your claim as
secondary payer for services covered by both Medicare and TRICARE, including testing, treatment, and
hospitalization.
Q: If you’re an active duty family member with COVID-19 symptoms, will TRICARE cover your test?
A: Yes. Your coverage is based on your health care provider’s clinical judgement and if the test is
medically necessary and appropriate.
Q: You’re an active duty family member with no symptoms, and you’ve been exposed to a person with
COVID-19 for a long period of time. Will TRICARE cover your test?
A: Yes, but not in all cases. Your coverage is based on your provider’s clinical judgement. The test must
also be medically necessary and appropriate.
Q: Will TRICARE cover your test if you’re returning to work and you don’t have COVID-19 symptoms?
A: No. TRICARE, won’t cover your test unless you’re an active duty service member and it’s required
for mission readiness or deployment.
You can find these scenarios and others, as well as more detail, on the TRICARE COVID-19 testing
page https://www.tricare.mil/covid19testing . If you have a question about COVID-19 and your benefits
that isn’t answered, you can contact your TRICARE contractor via https://www.tricare.mil/regions or
health care provider. You can also visit the TRICARE FAQs at https://www.tricare.mil/covid19FAQs and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
nCoV/index.html to learn more. If you get tested, make sure the results are documented in your medical
records.
and your test? Will TRICARE cover your COVID-19 test if you don’t have symptoms but want to get a
test for peace of mind? If you’re confused about COVID-19 tests and what TRICARE covers, be sure you
check out the latest information on the TRICARE website https://www.tricare.mil/covid19testing.
“As COVID-19 cases rise, we know that more and more of our TRICARE beneficiaries may want to
get tested,” said Elan Green, chief of the Medial Benefits and Reimbursement Section for the TRICARE
Health Plan with the Defense Health Agency. “If you have questions about what’s covered and how to
access care you can review TRICARE COVID-19 information at https://www.tricare.mil/coronavirus or
reach out to your TRICARE contractor or medical provider.”
When it comes to COVID-19 testing, you should first know that TRICARE covers COVID-19 tests
when they’re medically necessary. To be medically necessary means it is appropriate, reasonable, and
adequate for your condition. A TRICARE-authorized provider must order the Test. And the provider must
perform the test at a TRICARE-authorized lab or facility. If you got an approved COVID-19 test done and
paid a copayment for the test or related office visit, you can file a claim for reimbursement.
An authorized provider is any individual, institution/organization, or supplier that is licensed by a state,
accredited by national organization, or meets other standards of the medical community, and is certified
to provide benefits under TRICARE. There are two types of TRICARE-authorized providers: Network
and Non-Network. DS must order the test. And the provider must perform the test at a TRICARE-
authorized lab or facility. To further help you understand your benefits, here are answers to some of the
most popular questions about COVID-19 testing and TRICARE. Make note of them before you or a family
member gets tested.
Q: Does TRICARE cover COVID-19 testing for active duty service members who have symptoms of
COVID-19?
A: Yes. You should get a COVID-19 test at a military hospital or clinic when it’s possible. Report your
results through your unit and medical channels. If you’re a National Guard or Reserve member called or
order to active duty for more than 30 days, you must show as TRICARE-eligible in the Defense Enrollment
Eligibility Reporting System, also known as DEERS. Your provider should reflect COVID-19 coding on
the claim. Your provider will process the claim under the Supplemental Health Care Program.
Q: Does TRICARE cover COVID-19 testing for active duty service members who don’t have symptoms
of COVID-19?
A: It depends. TRICARE will cover your test if it’s required to support your unit’s readiness mission or
your deployment status. Report your results through your unit and your medical channels. You should get
your test done through your service channels or at military hospital or clinic when possible.
Q: If you have TRICARE For Life, will TRICARE cover your COVID-19 testing?
A: It depends. You must follow the Medicare coverage rules. TRICARE will process your claim as
secondary payer for services covered by both Medicare and TRICARE, including testing, treatment, and
hospitalization.
Q: If you’re an active duty family member with COVID-19 symptoms, will TRICARE cover your test?
A: Yes. Your coverage is based on your health care provider’s clinical judgement and if the test is
medically necessary and appropriate.
Q: You’re an active duty family member with no symptoms, and you’ve been exposed to a person with
COVID-19 for a long period of time. Will TRICARE cover your test?
A: Yes, but not in all cases. Your coverage is based on your provider’s clinical judgement. The test must
also be medically necessary and appropriate.
Q: Will TRICARE cover your test if you’re returning to work and you don’t have COVID-19 symptoms?
A: No. TRICARE, won’t cover your test unless you’re an active duty service member and it’s required
for mission readiness or deployment.
You can find these scenarios and others, as well as more detail, on the TRICARE COVID-19 testing
page https://www.tricare.mil/covid19testing . If you have a question about COVID-19 and your benefits
that isn’t answered, you can contact your TRICARE contractor via https://www.tricare.mil/regions or
health care provider. You can also visit the TRICARE FAQs at https://www.tricare.mil/covid19FAQs and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
nCoV/index.html to learn more. If you get tested, make sure the results are documented in your medical
records.