Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Military

TRICARE To Shutter Stateside Walk-In Service Centers

Navy corpsman checks the blood pressure of TRICARE patient.
DVIDS
Navy corpsman checks the blood pressure of TRICARE patient.

TRICARE Service Centers will close their doors on April 1, requiring beneficiaries to do administrative tasks either online or by phone.

Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren explained to American Forces Press Service the reason for the change:

“This is being driven by the fact that technology has gotten so much better...

“The change will not – let me repeat that – will not affect any TRICARE medical benefit or health care service. What it will do is allow the department to save $250 million over the next five years, allowing TRICARE to invest in more important services.”
However, Overseas TRICARE Service Centers will remain open.

TRICARE beneficiaries can do the following online by going to the "I want to..." section of the TRICARE website, according to a fact sheet available online:

Advertisement

• Enroll in or purchase a plan

• File or check a claim

• View referrals and prior authorizations

• Find a doctor

• Change primary care managers

Advertisement

• See what’s covered

• Compare plans

• Manage prescriptions

What do you think of TRICARE's decision to close its customer walk-in services centers? Have your say in our comments section!