TRICARE Natural Disaster Emergency Guide 2026 | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer During a government-declared state of emergency due to a natural disaster, TRICARE often waives referral requirements, allowing you to seek urgent medical care from any provider without prior authorization. You can also get emergency prescription refills for a 30-day supply (even if it's too early for a refill) by visiting any TRICARE retail pharmacy.

## Details When a natural disaster (hurricane, wildfire, flood, earthquake) strikes, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) may issue a "Disaster Alert" for specific counties or states. This triggers several temporary changes to how your health plan functions.

### Emergency Medical Care and Referrals If a disaster alert is active in your area, TRICARE may temporarily waive referral requirements for **TRICARE Prime** and **TRICARE Prime Remote** beneficiaries. This means: * You do not need to contact your Primary Care Manager (PCM) first. * You can see any TRICARE-authorized provider (network or non-network) for urgent medical needs. * **Note:** This waiver usually does not apply to "Point of Service" charges if you were already seeking specialty care before the disaster; it is intended for immediate health needs resulting from or complicated by the disaster.

### Prescription Medication Refills Standard "too soon to refill" logic is bypassed during a declared emergency. * **Retail Pharmacies:** You can take your prescription bottle to any TRICARE retail pharmacy (managed by Express Scripts) to get a 30-day supply. * **Lost Medications:** If your medication was lost or destroyed in the disaster, you should contact Express Scripts or your provider to have a new prescription sent to a pharmacy in your current location. * **2026 Pharmacy Costs:** Beneficiaries still pay applicable 2026 copays (e.g., $16 for generic, $43 for brand-name formulary at retail) unless specifically waived by a special DHA directive.

### Replacement of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) If medical equipment (prosthetics, oxygen tanks, wheelchairs) was lost or damaged, you generally do not need a new referral if the disaster alert is active. Contact your regional contractor (Humana Military in the East or TriWest in the West) to coordinate a replacement.

### Mental Health Support Disasters are traumatic events. TRICARE covers medically necessary mental health visits. During an emergency, the "Teledoc" or "Doctor on Demand" services may be promoted as preferred ways to get care if local clinics are closed or unreachable.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** Must still attempt to coordinate with their command or a military hospital if possible, but are covered for emergency stabilization. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Primary users of the referral waiver benefits. * **Retirees and their families:** Applies to those on Prime, Select, or TRICARE For Life. * **Guard/Reserve:** National Guard and Reserve members on active duty orders or enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select. * **Survivors:** Active beneficiaries following the death of a sponsor.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil (Disaster Information):** https://www.tricare.mil/disaster * **Humana Military (Regional Info - East):** https://www.humanamilitary.com/ * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (Regional Info - West):** https://www.triwest.com/ * **Express Scripts (Pharmacy):** https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/