A plain-language guide to accessing mental health therapy through TRICARE — covering every plan type, the referral process, copay details, VA Community Care, and exactly how to find a certified therapist.
Navigating military mental health benefits can be confusing — especially when you are already dealing with stress, trauma, or a difficult transition. This guide breaks down exactly how TRICARE mental health coverage works in plain language, so you spend less time figuring out paperwork and more time getting the help you need.
Whether you are active duty, a military family member, a veteran using VA Community Care, or a Guard/Reserve member — this guide covers your situation. We answer the most common questions, walk through the referral process step by step, and link directly to TRICARE-certified therapists on EmoraPath.
Your plan type determines whether you need a referral and what you pay
Active duty, activated Guard/Reserve, retirees under 65, family members
Referral Required?
Required from PCM for most specialty care
Copay (Mental Health)
$0 active duty · $0–$12 retirees/family (network)
Annual Deductible
$0 active duty · $150/individual for retirees
HMO-like plan. PCM coordinates care. Most affordable option.
Active duty family members, retirees, Guard/Reserve
Referral Required?
No referral needed — self-refer to any TRICARE-authorized provider
Copay (Mental Health)
$0 active duty · $25–$35/session for retirees/family (network)
Annual Deductible
$150/individual, $300/family (retirees)
PPO-like plan. More flexibility in choosing providers. Slightly higher cost.
Selected Reserve members not on active duty orders
Referral Required?
No referral needed
Copay (Mental Health)
$25–$35/session (network)
Annual Deductible
$150/individual
Premium-based plan for Guard/Reserve when not activated. Must pay monthly premium.
Medicare-eligible retirees, survivors, Medal of Honor recipients
Referral Required?
No referral needed
Copay (Mental Health)
$0 (Medicare pays first, TRICARE covers remainder)
Annual Deductible
Medicare deductible applies
Works alongside Medicare. No separate TRICARE premium. Full mental health coverage.
Follow these 6 steps to start mental health therapy with your TRICARE benefits
Log into milConnect (milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil) or the TRICARE beneficiary web portal to confirm your plan type, coverage region, and enrollment status. Your plan type (Prime, Select, TRS, TFL) determines whether you need a referral and what your copays will be.
Active-duty members and dependents are automatically enrolled in TRICARE Prime in most regions
Check your Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) record to make sure family members are enrolled
Guard and Reserve members must purchase a TRICARE plan when not on active orders
TRICARE Prime requires a referral from your PCM (Primary Care Manager) for outpatient mental health services except in emergencies. TRICARE Select and TRS do not require referrals — you can contact a TRICARE-authorized therapist directly and schedule an appointment.
Call your PCM and specifically request a "mental health referral for outpatient counseling"
Referrals are typically valid for 1 year with up to 52 outpatient sessions
Military OneSource (1-800-342-9647) offers up to 12 free confidential sessions with no referral required — a great starting point
Use the TRICARE Find a Doctor tool at tricare.mil or search EmoraPath's directory filtered by TRICARE insurance. Confirm the provider is TRICARE-authorized and accepting new patients before scheduling. Not all licensed therapists are TRICARE-certified.
Always ask "Are you TRICARE-authorized and accepting new TRICARE patients?"
EmoraPath lists therapists who have confirmed TRICARE acceptance
For VA Community Care, use the VA Community Care Provider directory at va.gov/find-locations
Contact the therapist directly to schedule. Provide your TRICARE plan name, sponsor's Social Security Number (SSN) or DoD ID number, and your referral number (if on TRICARE Prime). The provider will verify coverage and submit claims directly to TRICARE.
Bring your military ID to your first appointment
The therapist will file claims directly with TRICARE — you should not need to pay upfront for in-network visits
For telehealth/video sessions: TRICARE covers mental health telehealth at the same rate as in-person visits
Active-duty service members pay $0 for TRICARE Prime mental health visits. Retirees and family members have copays ranging from $0–$35/session depending on plan and provider type (MTF vs. network civilian). Out-of-network costs are significantly higher.
Always use TRICARE-authorized in-network providers to minimize out-of-pocket costs
You can view your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) on the TRICARE online portal
If billed incorrectly, contact the TRICARE contractor for your region (Humana Military or HealthNet Federal Services)
If you are a veteran (not active duty), you may qualify for VA Community Care to see a community therapist outside the VA system. This requires a referral from your VA primary care provider or VA mental health team. You must meet VA eligibility criteria including adequate VA benefits enrollment.
Call the VA Community Care Network at 1-866-606-8198 to start the referral process
Community Care is often approved when VA wait times exceed 28 days for primary care or 14 days for mental health
Once approved, search EmoraPath's VA Community Care filter to find in-network therapists
For outpatient individual therapy sessions (network civilian providers), 2026 rates
| Who You Are | TRICARE Prime | TRICARE Select | TRS (Reserve) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active-duty service member | $0 | $0 | N/A (on orders) |
| Active-duty family member | $0 | $25 | N/A |
| Retiree (under 65) | $12 | $35 | N/A |
| Retiree family member | $12 | $35 | N/A |
| Guard/Reserve (activated) | $0 | $25 | N/A |
| Guard/Reserve (not activated) | N/A | N/A | $30 |
| Survivor/dependent | $0–$12 | $25–$35 | Plan-specific |
Copays listed are for TRICARE-authorized civilian network providers. Rates at Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) are always $0. Annual deductibles apply before some copays kick in. Verify current rates at tricare.mil/costs.
For veterans who need care outside the VA system
Contact your VA primary care provider or VA mental health team
Request a Community Care referral for outpatient mental health
Or call VA Community Care Network: 1-866-606-8198
VA will authorize care and issue an approval notice
Choose a VA-approved community therapist (like those on EmoraPath)
Important: MST-related mental health care is available at no cost at any VA facility, regardless of service-connected disability status, discharge status, or VA enrollment. No copay, no referral needed for MST care.
The most common TRICARE mental health questions answered
Browse EmoraPath's directory of TRICARE-authorized and VA Community Care therapists near your base — filter by specialty, location, and insurance in seconds.
Questions? Call Military OneSource: 1-800-342-9647 (24/7, confidential)
Drill down into a local guide tailored to your nearest base — MTF details, local VA clinics, and TRICARE-authorized therapist directories
Fayetteville, NC
Fort Liberty
82nd Airborne · ARSOC · XVIII Corps
MTF: Womack Army Medical Center
VA: Fayetteville VA Medical Center · 910-488-2120
Norfolk, VA
Naval Station Norfolk
Atlantic Fleet · NAS Oceana · NS Little Creek
MTF: Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
VA: Hampton VA Medical Center · 757-722-9961
Columbus, GA
Fort Moore
Infantry School · Ranger School · 3rd Inf. Division
MTF: Martin Army Community Hospital
VA: Columbus VA Outpatient Clinic · 706-257-7200
Each installation guide includes MTF referral details, local VA clinic contacts, TRICARE plan comparisons, and a local therapist directory.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for official TRICARE documentation. Benefits, copays, and eligibility rules may change. Verify current details at tricare.mil or by calling TRICARE at 1-844-866-9378. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
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