What is a Non-Availability Statement (NAS) in TRICARE? | TRICARE.com

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## Definition A Non-Availability Statement (NAS) is an official certification and authorization required for certain TRICARE beneficiaries to receive non-emergency inpatient care from a civilian hospital when a local Military Hospital or Clinic (MTF) cannot provide the necessary services.

## What it means in practice In the current TRICARE landscape, the Non-Availability Statement (NAS) primarily applies to beneficiaries living near a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) who require **inpatient mental health care**. While the NAS was once required for many types of specialty care, modern TRICARE rules have streamlined the process, and for most medical procedures, a simple referral/authorization from your contractor (Humana Military in the East or TriWest in the West) has replaced the traditional NAS.

If you are enrolled in TRICARE Select and live within a specific "catchment area" (usually a 40-mile radius) of a military hospital, you may still be required to obtain an NAS before being admitted to a civilian psychiatric facility for non-emergency inpatient mental health services. If you fail to obtain an NAS when it is required, TRICARE may deny the claim entirely or pay at a significantly lower rate, leaving you with substantial out-of-pocket costs.

For 2026, beneficiaries should note that an NAS is generally **not** required for outpatient care, emergency admissions, or patients with an Other Health Insurance (OHI) plan acting as the primary payer. If you are active duty, your primary care manager (PCM) handles these requirements internally. For those in the West Region, your NAS or authorization will be processed through TriWest Healthcare Alliance; in the East, it is managed by Humana Military.

## Related terms * **Catchment Area:** A geographic area surrounding a military hospital or clinic, typically defined by a 40-mile radius or specific zip codes. * **Authorization:** Official notification from a TRICARE regional contractor that a specific service or procedure is covered and medically necessary. * **Point-of-Service (POS) Option:** A feature of TRICARE Prime that allows beneficiaries to seek non-emergency care without a referral, but at a much higher cost. * **Inpatient Care:** Medical treatment that requires at least one overnight stay in a hospital or other healthcare facility. * **Military Treatment Facility (MTF):** A hospital or clinic owned and operated by the Department of Defense.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Mental Health Care Services](https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/MentalHealthCare) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [Referrals and Pre-Authorizations](https://www.tricare.mil/Referrals) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** [Provider Authorizations](https://www.triwest.com)