How To Use Your Tricare Benefit For Online Therapy In Florida
What is Tricare Therapy Coverage?
Tricare, the health insurance program that provides coverage to active duty and retired military members, their families, and survivors, covers a variety of benefits, including mental health care. This includes online therapy, a great option for those who live in rural areas like Panama City or Ocala have schedules that don’t accommodate traditional in-person therapy, or military families who relocate often.
Instead of having to start over with a new therapist every time your service member is relocated, you may have the option to continue to work with that therapist if they are licensed in your new state. If you are a Tricare beneficiary, you likely know that it can be a difficult system to navigate and that benefits are not always clear, especially when it comes to determining mental health coverage. Trust me, as a military spouse and therapist who accepts Tricare in Florida, I have experienced this confusion and frustration firsthand!
Which Tricare Providers Can You See For Online Therapy?
Perhaps one of the most common questions I field from clients who have Tricare benefits is not simply IF online therapy is covered but which providers are allowed. Platforms like BetterHelp and Talkspace have gained traction and attention, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown. However, these providers are not covered by Tricare which leaves you having to find a licensed counselor or therapist who provides telehealth services on your own. This isn’t always as straightforward an assignment as it might seem.
You’ll need two important pieces of information before proceeding with your search, both of which you’ve likely needed to discern for other types of medical treatment. You need to understand the type of Tricare plan you have and the type of provider you want to see.
What are the types of Tricare Plans and Provider Types?
Tricare has two plans available to beneficiaries: Tricare Prime and Tricare Select. With both, you need to consider if the therapist you are hoping to work with is in-network or a non-network Tricare authorized provider (aka out-of-network).
An in-network provider is one that is contracted directly with Tricare. A non-network Tricare authorized provider means that, while they are not contracted directly with Tricare, they have an established agreement to work with Tricare to provide services to beneficiaries.
While this might feel like a lot of information, it’s okay! The provider you choose will know this information too and be able to share with you how best to process your claims for service with Tricare, if that’s even necessary.
The most important thing to remember is that you are able to see an online therapist through your Tricare benefit.
Let’s break down the differences between the plans.
Tricare Prime: In-Network Provider.
Under Tricare Prime, you do not need a referral or authorization to start therapy with an online therapist. The best news is that there is no out-of-pocket cost to start with an in-network online therapist.
Tricare Prime: Non-Network Provider.
With this type of provider, you have two options to use Tricare insurance for your online therapy services. First, you can use the Tricare point-of-service (POS) option. This does not require a referral but does require that you meet a yearly deductible before coverage kicks in. For example, if your annual deductible is $300, you need to pay that amount out-of-pocket for therapy before the insurance will begin covering fifty percent of your services.
The second option is to visit your Primary Care Manager (PCM) for a referral to the specific non-network Tricare provider you want to see. Once that referral is authorized and approved through Tricare, you are able to see that therapist and pay $0 out of pocket for sessions.
Tricare Select: In-Network Provider.
You are not required to have any referral or authorization to see a therapist online. However, you must meet your yearly deductible and then have only a small copay for each session. Verify your specific benefits on the Tricare website or with your Tricare regional contractor or Tricare provider.
Tricare Select: Non-network Provider.
Similar to seeing an in-network provider, you need to meet your yearly deductible before Tricare will cover your online therapy sessions. Then you will be responsible for 20% of the appointment cost for the remainder of the year.
It’s a bit different for active duty service members who will need a referral from their PCM to see a therapist no matter if the counselor is in-person or conducts sessions via telehealth.
Considerations for Online Therapy Using Tricare
If you are interested in using Tricare to pay for online therapy, you should contact your PCM to discuss options or check out available information on the Tricare website.
When you are looking for an online therapist, it’s important to ask friends, family, and co-workers for recommendations. Research the therapist’s experience, training, qualifications, and potential therapists to ensure the right fit. Most importantly, ensure the therapist is licensed in Florida and that you are clear about their fees and insurance coverage.
Online therapy is an optimal choice for service members and their families for several reasons. For instance, if you are stationed at MacDill Air Force Base but the type of therapist you need lives in Jacksonville, the distance won’t prevent you from receiving the best care for your specific needs with online therapy. Small communities can often pose a particular challenge in receiving care as therapists themselves are embedded in the culture and society of the place. For instance, if your family is based at the Naval Air Station in Key West, you might enjoy the anonymity that an online therapist can provide.
While all of this can feel overwhelming, it’s actually quite easy to access online therapy services in Florida with your Tricare benefits. Don’t let the often confusing details keep you from getting the support you need. There is no better time than now to prioritize your mental health.
Begin Receiving Support with Tricare Therapy Coverage in Florida
If you’re ready to find an online therapist, conduct some basic searches for “online therapists near Tyndall Air Force Base” or “Tricare online counseling in Mary Esther FL” to find therapists who accept Tricare in your area. I am happy to offer Tricare therapy and online services to clients in Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, and Louisiana. To get started with Ashley Comegys, please follow these simple steps:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation via phone or video
Start learning how to cope with life
Other Therapy Services Offered By Ashley Comegys
I’m happy to provide various services to support your mental health. Other services offered include grief counseling, online postpartum depression treatment, online postpartum support, and online depression treatment. I’m also happy to offer military spouse therapy and online trauma treatment for women. Visit my blog or about page to learn more today!