TRICARE Nurse Advice Line: 24/7 Expert Help & Referrals | TRICARE.com

The **TRICARE Nurse Advice Line (NAL)** is a free, 24/7 service that connects TRICARE beneficiaries with registered nurses for medical guidance. It helps you decide if you need an emergency room visit, an urgent care appointment, or if you can manage your symptoms with self-care at home.

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with the official TRICARE program. For official policy and the current NAL phone number, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Quick answer The TRICARE Nurse Advice Line is a toll-free service (1-800-TRICARE, Option 1) available 24/7 in the U.S. and overseas. Registered nurses provide expert medical advice, help you schedule appointments at Military Hospitals or Clinics, and can even submit urgent care referrals for TRICARE Prime enrollees.

Details

### Accessing the Service As of 2026, the Nurse Advice Line remains a cornerstone of the TRICARE benefit to reduce unnecessary Emergency Room (ER) visits. Beneficiaries in the U.S., Guam, and Puerto Rico can call **1-800-TRICARE (874-2273)** and select **Option 1**. You can also access the service via secure web chat or video at MHSNurseAdviceLine.com.

### What the Nurses Can Do * **Medical Assessment:** Nurses use evidence-based protocols to assess symptoms for pediatrics, adults, and seniors. * **Urgent Care Referrals:** If you are enrolled in **TRICARE Prime** and the nurse determines you need urgent care, they can often coordinate an "Urgent Care Referral." This allows you to visit a network urgent care center without a pre-authorization from your Primary Care Manager (PCM), preventing a "Point-of-Service" (POS) charge. * **MTF Appointments:** If you receive care at a Military Medical Treatment Facility (MTF), the NAL can view your clinic’s schedule and book a follow-up appointment for you if they determine you need to see your doctor. * **Self-Care Advice:** If your issue is minor (regular fever, cold symptoms, etc.), the nurse provides "Home Care" instructions to manage the illness safely without a doctor's visit.

### Cost and Coverage (2026 Rates) The TRICARE Nurse Advice Line is **$0 (free)** for all eligible beneficiaries. * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** Should generally call the NAL or their PCM before seeking outside urgent care to ensure their medical readiness records are updated. * **TRICARE Select/For Life:** While these beneficiaries do not require referrals for urgent care, the NAL is still a valuable free resource to determine the severity of a condition.

### Overseas Access Beneficiaries living overseas can access the NAL via International SOS. However, you must contact your local TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) Regional Call Center to get the specific local number for the NAL in your country. Note: The NAL is not available in every single foreign country due to local host-nation regulations, but coverage is extensive in major hubs.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** Required to seek guidance before most non-emergency civilian care. * **Active Duty Family Members:** On Prime or Select plans. * **Retirees and their Families:** Including those on TRICARE For Life (TFL). * **National Guard and Reserve:** Enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS). * **Survivors and Medal of Honor Recipients:** Eligible for TRICARE benefits.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Nurse Advice Line Overview](https://www.tricare.mil/nurseline) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [MHS Nurse Advice Line Portal](https://mhsnurseadviceline.com/) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** [West Region Beneficiary Services](https://www.triwest.com/) * **Humana Military:** [East Region Clinical Resources](https://www.humanamilitary.com/)