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 | Jan. 27, 2022

Need Help Managing Your Weight? See What TRICARE Covers

By TRICARE Communications

Do you or a family member need help with weight management? You are not alone. The National Institutes of Health found that about two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Even if there’s no obesity in your family and if you’re satisfied with your current weight, striving to maintain a healthy weight lowers your risk of serious health conditions.
 
“Not only can carrying extra body weight impact your mobility and joint health,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Heidi Clark, chief of the Nutritional Medicine Clinical Support Service at the Defense Health Agency. “Being overweight or obese puts you at risk for serious health conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, lower back pain, depression, and fatigue.”

Keeping a healthy weight can be challenging, but it’s worth the effort. And with the right support, it’s possible. Whether you’re a service member, retiree, or a family member, you can work with a health care provider. They can help you understand your weight and its impact on your health. And get you started toward diet and exercise goals to help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.
 
Here are some of the services TRICARE covers and tips to help you with weight management.
 
Treatment for Obesity
If you meet specific conditions, TRICARE covers intensive, multicomponent behavioral interventions for obesity. These services promote sustained weight loss (12 to 26 sessions in a year). A TRICARE-authorized provider, like a physician or a registered dietitian who’s working under the supervision of a physician, must provide these weight loss services for TRICARE to cover them.
 
To qualify for these services, you must be:
  • An adult with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher
  • A child or adolescent with a BMI value greater than the 95th percentile
 
Services include, but aren’t limited to:
  • Behavioral management activities like setting weight-loss goals
  • Guidance regarding physical activity and dietary changes
  • Strategies to maintain lifestyle changes
  • Addressing your personal barriers to change
  • Teaching you self-monitoring behaviors to track your weight loss progress
 
TRICARE also covers surgical obesity treatment for non-active duty service members. This includes gastric bypass surgery and other surgeries for weight loss. But you must meet certain conditions for TRICARE to cover. You can go to the Bariatric Surgery page to see the list of covered services. And you can find the medical conditions which may make weight loss surgery medically appropriate for you.
 
Seeing a Registered Dietitian or Nutritionist
TRICARE covers medically necessary services and supplies from registered dietitians and nutritionists. They must have a license from the state where you get the care. They must also be working under the supervision of a physician. Here are some examples of conditions that may benefit from medical nutrition therapy (also medical nutrition counseling) sessions provided by a registered dietitian or nutritionist:
  • Obesity
  • Elevated blood lipids/high cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Anemia
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Eating disorders
 
You can find more information by going to the Nutritionist or Dietitian Services page.
 
Tips for a Healthy Diet
Taking steps to prevent health issues is often easier than fixing them once they emerge. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet and regular physical activity are the best ways to achieve and maintain a healthy weight for life. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, you should eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. It’s important to reduce:
  • Foods high in sugar
  • Sodium
  • Refined foods
  • Foods with added fats, like fried foods
  • Alcoholic drinks  
 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends healthy adults get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate activity. CDC also estimates that getting enough physical activity could prevent 1 in 10 premature deaths. Try to keep moving throughout the day to help you maintain good levels of activity.
 
“If you need to fit in more physical activity in your life, try to find activities you enjoy so it becomes an easier habit to sustain,” said Clark. “You could try picking up a physically active hobby, make exercise a family event, or find time to work out with friends.”
 
For service members, achieving a healthy weight enhances your mission performance and readiness. Each military service also has requirements for fitness and body composition. Check out resources to help you build and sustain healthy behaviors.
 
Remember, your healthy weight isn’t the same as everyone else. So, talk with your health care provider to understand your weight, an ideal goal weight, and appropriate weight loss goals. To learn more ways you can support your health, explore additional weight management resources and TRICARE covered services.
Dentist works on patient's teeth

TRICARE Dental Program Premiums Decrease Effecti...

News
Oct. 30, 2024

If you’re enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program, your TDP monthly premiums will decrease for coverage...
Read More
TRICARE Open Season Webinar graphic

Get Ready for TRICARE Open Season and 2025 Regio...

News
Oct. 29, 2024

Are you ready for TRICARE Open Season and the upcoming changes to TRICARE in 2025? Mark your calendar for a...
Read More
Woman looking at laptop screen

Q&A: What To Know as TRICARE Open Season Begins ...

News
Oct. 24, 2024

TRICARE Open Season begins Monday, Nov. 11—that’s just a few weeks away. If you’re a TRICARE beneficiary, this...
Read More
Man works on a laptop

TRICARE Claim Form Updated To Assist in Processi...

News
Oct. 23, 2024

If you’ve submitted a claim for reimbursement, then you may be familiar with the TRICARE claim form, Patient’s...
Read More
TRICARE Enrollment Freeze Oct. 25-27, 2024

TRICARE Enrollment Freeze and Scheduled milConne...

News
Oct. 21, 2024

It’s almost time for TRICARE Open Season, which begins Nov. 11. That means you should check your information...
Read More
Man receives a vaccine.

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones: Get Your F...

News
Oct. 17, 2024

The fall and winter months bring an increased risk of respiratory illnesses, including flu, COVID-19, and...
Read More
Three women smiling at the camera

Unlock Your Health by Scheduling a TRICARE Well-...

News
Oct. 16, 2024

With TRICARE, you have access to a wide range of preventive care specific to your needs. For women, this...
Read More
Woman sits at table looking at laptop with smartphone next to her.

Live in the West Region? Update Your TRICARE Pay...

News
Oct. 10, 2024

Do you currently live in the West Region? Or, do you live in one of the six states (Arkansas, Illinois,...
Read More

Oct. 30, 2024

TRICARE Dental Program Premiums Decrease Effective Nov. 1

If you’re enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program, your TDP monthly premiums will decrease for coverage effective Nov. 1. These new rates will remain in effect until Feb. 28, 2025.

Oct. 29, 2024

Get Ready for TRICARE Open Season and 2025 Region Changes at Nov. 14 Webinar

Are you ready for TRICARE Open Season and the upcoming changes to TRICARE in 2025? Mark your calendar for a TRICARE webinar, “Get Ready for TRICARE Open Season and 2025 Region Changes,” on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2–3 p.m. ET on Microsoft Teams Live.

Oct. 24, 2024

Q&A: What To Know as TRICARE Open Season Begins Nov. 11

TRICARE Open Season begins Monday, Nov. 11—that’s just a few weeks away. If you’re a TRICARE beneficiary, this is the time when you can enroll in a health plan or change health plans for coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2025. You can make these changes through Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Oct. 23, 2024

TRICARE Claim Form Updated To Assist in Processing Overseas Claims

If you’ve submitted a claim for reimbursement, then you may be familiar with the TRICARE claim form, Patient’s Request for Medical Payment (DD Form 2642). In September 2024, this form was updated to include fields that’ll make it easier when filing claims for care received overseas.

Oct. 21, 2024

TRICARE Enrollment Freeze and Scheduled milConnect and Beneficiary Web Enrollment Outage Beginning Oct. 25: What To Know

It’s almost time for TRICARE Open Season, which begins Nov. 11. That means you should check your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System as soon as possible. There will be a global TRICARE enrollment freeze from Oct. 25-27, and limitations to the Beneficiary Web Enrollment self-service portal between Oct. 28 and Dec. 31.

Oct. 17, 2024

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones: Get Your Flu Shot With TRICARE

The fall and winter months bring an increased risk of respiratory illnesses, including flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus. Getting your flu shot is an easy way to help ward off illness. The vaccine lowers your chance of getting sick, going to the hospital, or even dying from the flu.

Oct. 16, 2024

Unlock Your Health by Scheduling a TRICARE Well-Woman Exam

With TRICARE, you have access to a wide range of preventive care specific to your needs. For women, this includes comprehensive services like an annual well-woman exam.

Oct. 10, 2024

Live in the West Region? Update Your TRICARE Payment Information With TriWest

Do you currently live in the West Region? Or, do you live in one of the six states (Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin) moving to the West Region in 2025? If you pay for your TRICARE coverage via credit card or bank electronic funds transfer, you can now securely give your recurring payment information to the incoming West Region contractor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

Oct. 8, 2024

Learn How Referrals and Specialty Care Will Work as New TRICARE Contracts Start in 2025

Health care delivery under new TRICARE contracts starts on Jan. 1, 2025. These new contracts will improve quality and access for beneficiaries in the United States by enhancing referral management and access to specialty care. Learn more about what to expect starting Jan. 1.

Oct. 7, 2024

DOD Announces Health Care Supplement Program Pilot for DOD Civilian Employees in Japan

The Department of Defense (DOD) today announced a one-year pilot program to provide no-cost supplemental health support services to DOD civilian employees serving in Japan after a yearlong effort to identify and address concerns regarding access to medical care.