Home  »  Military & Veteran Benefits   »   Telemedicine Options Through TRICARE For Your Mental Health

Telemedicine Options Through TRICARE For Your Mental Health

tricare telemedicine

Does TRICARE Cover Telemedicine Options? Here Is What You Need to Know

Why Use Telehealth?

Telehealth can be easier on your schedule since you can use the service from anywhere. You can use your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Telehealth can also be less stressful than going to an in-person appointment.

You won’t have to worry about driving there, or finding a place to park. You might not have to worry about having to leave work or finding childcare. Telehealth can be a good way for some people to get the care that they need without having to be in an in-person environment.

How Can I Use Telehealth Services?

As a TRICARE recipient, you can use Doctor On Demand or Telemynd. Both of these services connect you with licensed therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists.

Doctor on Demand

Doctor on Demand offers urgent care and behavioral health options. The average wait time is five minutes or less with an urgent care provider. The wait time for behavioral health is just a few days. They are open beyond regular business hours and they also have an app. You can find these behavioral health services through Doctor on Demand:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Stress
  • Trauma and loss
  • PTSD
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Relationship issues
  • Mental health screenings
  • Grief

Keep in mind that Doctor on Demand isn’t currently available to active duty service members. There is however a pilot program in TX for active duty service members to receive urgent care through Doctor on Demand.

Telemynd

Telemynd is a nationally recognized partner of TRICARE and provides behavioral health services, psychology, and psychiatry services. They match you with a provider who is uniquely qualified to treat you. There will be zero copays or cost shares, no predetermined maximum sessions per calendar, no authorization required for telebehavioral health for TRICARE Prime active duty family members and retirees, and 100% secure sessions conducted over video.

Telemynd also offers the MyCare Intensive Support Program. This program is remote intensive mental health care for clients with passive suicidality. It provides targeted ongoing support over 8-12 weeks, includes psychiatric care, psychotherapy and care coordination, and provides a transition plan to ongoing care after the program ends.

They have also stated on the site that “MyCare Intensive Support Program is not a crisis resource. If this is an emergent crisis or you are experiencing thoughts of harm to yourself or others, please call 911 immediately. For a list of crisis resources, click here.”

What Is the Copay?

Your copay will be the same as it normally is. However, during COVID-19 there are zero copayments or cost-shares for telemedicine. This could change at any time.

Active duty service members will need a referral before getting care under the telemedicine benefit. Active duty family members and retirees shouldn’t but there are some exceptions.

Telemedicine can be a good option for some TRICARE recipients. To learn more, visit the TRICARE page on telemedicine or the Humana page on telemedicine.

 

RELATED:

 

 

About the author

+ posts

Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.