An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | Dec. 20, 2021

Need Health Advice at Home? Chat With a Nurse 24/7

By TRICARE Communications

With the threat of flu season added to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, you might not want to go to the doctor’s office for a minor health issue. And with the Military Health System (MHS) Nurse Advice Line, you may not have to. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of the best ways to prevent flu and COVID-19 is to avoid contact with people who are sick. With the MHS Nurse Advice Line, you can get health advice 24/7 from a registered nurse from the comfort of your home.
 
“Virtual care, such as the Military Health System Nurse Advice Line, has become an important tool in fighting infectious diseases,” said U.S. Public Health Service Lt. Bobby Taylor, MHS Nurse Advice Line program manager. “This free resource allows TRICARE beneficiaries to practice social distancing measures while still receiving answers to their health questions no matter where they are.”
 
You may have some questions about this service. Here are some answers to get you started.
 
Am I eligible to use the MHS Nurse Advice Line?
Yes, if you’re a TRICARE beneficiary living or traveling in the U.S. or in a country outside the U.S. with a military hospital or clinic. The nurse and care teams will provide advice based on the care available to you based on your status and health plan:
  • TRICARE Prime
  • TRICARE Plus
  • TRICARE Prime Remote
  • TRICARE Overseas Program Prime
  • TRICARE Overseas Program Prime Remote
  • TRICARE Select
  • TRICARE Overseas Program Select
  • TRICARE For Life
  • TRICARE Reserve Select
  • TRICARE Retired Reserve
  • TRICARE Young Adult
 
You can’t use the MHS Nurse Advice Line if you’re enrolled in the US Family Health Plan, which has its own nurse advice line.
 
What services does the MHS Nurse Advice Line offer?
Sometimes you need a quick answer to a health question. Maybe your concern can’t wait until you see your doctor. Specially trained registered nurses can help you navigate your family’s health care needs anytime, day or night. Some of the services include:
  • Answering your health care questions
  • Assessing your symptoms and giving recommendations for the most appropriate steps to take
  • Providing instructions to treat minor issues or self-care tips that you can use at home
  • Helping locate an appropriate urgent care or emergency care facility, if necessary
  • Helping you schedule an appointment at a military hospital or clinic if you’re enrolled
 
If you call the MHS Nurse Advice Line about your child, you can speak to a nurse who has special pediatric training. Nurses also have experience in answering questions and providing advice on how and when to seek help for mental health issues. These services are available at no cost to you.
 
If you reasonably believe you have an emergency, always call 911 or your international emergency number. Or, go to the nearest emergency room. The MHS Nurse Advice Line isn’t for medical emergencies.
 
How do I access the MHS Nurse Advice Line?
You can call and speak to a nurse by phone. If you’re in the U.S., Guam, or Puerto Rico, call 1-800-TRICARE (1-800-874-2273), then choose option 1. You can find all other country-specific phone numbers on the website. In addition to the phone, other options may include web chat and video chat.
 
When you have a medical concern or an illness or injury occurs after hours, consider the MHS Nurse Advice Line. Registered nurses are available 24/7 to answer your health care questions and assess your symptoms from the convenience of your home.
TRICARE March 30 webinar

Retiring Soon? Get To Know Your TRICARE Options ...

News
Mar. 14, 2023

Are you or your sponsor getting ready to retire? Now’s a great time to make sure your TRICARE coverage will be...
Read More
Pharmacy technician fills prescription

The New TRICARE Pharmacy Contract: Delivering Va...

News
Mar. 10, 2023

I’m proud of the work of our team at the Defense Department to negotiate and implement a new TRICARE pharmacy...
Read More
Medical technician checks patient's blood pressure

How Does TRICARE Cover Different Types of Care?

News
Mar. 09, 2023

Do you know where to go if you break a bone? What would you do if you had the flu? It’s good to know the...
Read More
A dentist and hygenist work on a patient

Save Time, Money With a TDP Network Dentist

News
Mar. 07, 2023

As a TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) enrollee, you can choose to go to any licensed and authorized dentist in the...
Read More
Pharmacist talks to patient

Have Diabetes? Check Supplies, Services TRICARE ...

News
Feb. 27, 2023

If you have diabetes, you know managing it well is vital to you staying healthy from head to toe. And from...
Read More
Doctor looks at X-ray

Q&A: Getting and Using Referrals With TRICARE

News
Feb. 23, 2023

You’ve likely heard the term “referral” in connection with health care. But what exactly is a referral—and how...
Read More
A girl looks into an eye test machine

Make Your Vision a Year-Round Priority

News
Feb. 15, 2023

Vision and eye health are an important part of supporting an overall healthy lifestyle. Here’s an overview of...
Read More
Parents post with newborn in hospital

What To Do After a Qualifying Life Event

News
Feb. 09, 2023

When you get married or move to a new state, updating your health plan probably isn’t the first thing on your...
Read More

March 14, 2023

Retiring Soon? Get To Know Your TRICARE Options at March 30 Webinar

Are you or your sponsor getting ready to retire? Now’s a great time to make sure your TRICARE coverage will be ready too. Join us for a webinar, “Using TRICARE After Retirement,” on Thursday, March 30, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET. TRICARE experts will walk you through your TRICARE plan options and what you need to do avoid a gap in health coverage. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask questions. Sign up now to attend.

March 10, 2023

The New TRICARE Pharmacy Contract: Delivering Value for Military Families and Taxpayers

I’m proud of the work of our team at the Defense Department to negotiate and implement a new TRICARE pharmacy contract. The improvements that were made will not only establish stronger access standards and deliver exceptional value for military families, they will also improve efficiency and stewardship of taxpayer funds.

March 9, 2023

How Does TRICARE Cover Different Types of Care?

Do you know where to go if you break a bone? What would you do if you had the flu? It’s good to know the general types of health care available to you—especially when you need to make a quick decision about where to get care. And knowing how TRICARE covers each type can help you understand your health plan’s costs and rules for getting care.

March 7, 2023

Save Time, Money With a TDP Network Dentist

As a TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) enrollee, you can choose to go to any licensed and authorized dentist in the CONUS service area (50 United States, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). But it’s important to know the benefits of seeing a United Concordia TDP network dentist versus a non-network dentist.

Feb. 27, 2023

Have Diabetes? Check Supplies, Services TRICARE Covers

If you have diabetes, you know managing it well is vital to you staying healthy from head to toe. And from medical appointments to glucose monitoring and more, TRICARE can help you live your healthiest life with diabetes.

Feb. 23, 2023

Q&A: Getting and Using Referrals With TRICARE

You’ve likely heard the term “referral” in connection with health care. But what exactly is a referral—and how do you know if you need one? A referral is when your primary care manager (PCM) or primary care provider sends you to another provider or specialist for care.

Feb. 15, 2023

Make Your Vision a Year-Round Priority

Vision and eye health are an important part of supporting an overall healthy lifestyle. Here’s an overview of vision coverage for active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, and their eligible family members.

Feb. 9, 2023

What To Do After a Qualifying Life Event

When you get married or move to a new state, updating your health plan probably isn’t the first thing on your mind. But when it comes to your health care coverage, personal milestones like these, as well as many other changes in your life, are known as Qualifying Life Events (QLEs). A QLE opens a 90-day period for you—and your family—to make eligible changes to your TRICARE health plan outside of open season.

Feb. 7, 2023

Find Your TRICARE Costs With Compare Cost Tool

With the TRICARE Compare Cost Tool, you can look up costs for covered services, enrollment, and more. You can also see how your plan’s costs compare to other plans.

Feb. 1, 2023

Need Dental Coverage? TRICARE Dental Program May Be Right for You

Are you an active duty family member without dental coverage? Or a National Guard or Reserve member? If yes, the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) provides dental coverage around the world. And you may be eligible for TDP benefits.

Learn More about COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Vaccine.