The most recent appropriations for the Department of War expired at 11:59 p.m. EST on September 30, 2025. Military personnel will continue in a normal duty status without pay until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law. Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.
To learn how the lapse in appropriations affects your TRICARE benefit, visit tricare.mil/shutdown.

Disaster Information

Benefits During a Disaster

When the government issues a state of emergency, TRICARE may allow different processes than usual for your medical care. This might include:

  • Early prescription refills
  • Blanket waivers for referrals and authorizations
  • Other emergency benefits   

TRICARE Disaster Alerts will announce any emergency benefits.

Primary Care Manager Referral Waivers

  • If you're displaced during a disaster, you might not be able to get to your primary care manager if you need a referral for care.
  • If a referral waiver is in place, you may not have to get a referral from your PCM to see a TRICARE authorized provider. The disaster alert will include which areas are in the waiver and other instructions.

Emergency Prescription Refills

To get an emergency refill, take your prescription bottle to any TRICARE retail network pharmacy. To find a network pharmacy:

If you can, visit the pharmacy where you originally filled the prescription.

  • If you use a retail chain, you can fill your prescription at another store in that chain.
  • If your provider is able, they may call in a new prescription to any network pharmacy.
  • You can ask for help at another pharmacy. But it's at that pharmacy's discretion to help you.

Activated in Support of a Disaster?

You may qualify for active duty healthcare benefits. Learn more about benefits when you’re activated.