An official website of the United States government
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.

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.

News | March 18, 2021

MHS Nurse Advice Line Available 24/7 to Help You

By TRICARE Communications

When it comes to staying healthy, TRICARE knows having health and safety resources you can count on matters. Did you know that one of those resources is round-the-clock health care advice? If you ever have health-related questions or concerns, the Military Health System (MHS) Nurse Advice Line is available 24/7 and at no cost to you. 
 
“Minor injuries can happen anywhere and at any time,” said U.S. Public Health Service Lt. Bobby Taylor, MHS Nurse Advice Line program manager. “Whether you have sick child or need health care advice while traveling, the MHS Nurse Advice Line connects you to a registered nurse who can help you safely treat a non-emergency injury or illness from wherever you are.”
 
Depending on the severity of your injury or health concern, the nurse you speak with may help you get care at a nearby urgent care or emergency care facility. Your nurse can also: 
  • Provide evidence-based instructions to treat minor ailments at home
  • Answer your health care questions
  • Assess your symptoms and recommend the level of care you need
  • Help you schedule an appointment within 24 hours at a military hospital or clinic (if you’re enrolled to one and were recommended by the nurse)
Nurses are available 24/7. Your options for connecting with one include starting a secure web chat or video chat on the MHS Nurse Advice Line website. You can also 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) and choose option 1. For other country-specific numbers, you can find them on the website. Keep in mind, there’s no cost to use the MHS Nurse Advice Line. You just need to be a TRICARE beneficiary living or traveling in the U.S. or in a country with a military hospital or clinic. However, if you’re enrolled in the US Family Health Plan, you have a separate nurse advice line you can use.
 
Remember, the MHS Nurse Advice Line isn’t for emergencies that threaten your life, limb, eyesight, or safety. If you reasonably think you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
 
Did you know that the MHS Nurse Advice Line can help if you think you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms? A nurse will assess your condition and recommend steps to take based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Keep in mind, you should only use the advice line if you think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or you think you have symptoms. For general COVID-19 information, such as updates on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit TRICARE COVID Guidance.
 
“The MHS Nurse Advice Line is committed to providing you with health care advice you can trust,” Taylor added. “So, take command of your health, and use this benefit whenever you need it.”
Picture of a doctor using a stethoscope on a patient's chest; "Patients needed on Oct. 17 for a focus group discussion about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD."

Share your experiences with COPD care and treatm...

News
Sep. 30, 2025

Have you been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD? Your feedback could play a key...
Read More
Service member presses down on another service member's arm while lying on a medical table.

National Guard or Reserve? Learn What To Do if Y...

News
Sep. 25, 2025

Are you a member of the National Guard or Reserve? If so, it’s important to know how TRICARE covers you if you...
Read More
DHA logo and Unlock Your Health logo; Medical professional in scrubs shows man in wheelchair papers on a clipboard.

Learn How TRICARE Can Help You Manage Chronic He...

News
Sep. 23, 2025

Living with a chronic health condition can feel hard. But you don’t have to do it alone. TRICARE offers...
Read More
Woman in a dentist's chair holds a mirror and looks at her teeth.

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

News
Sep. 19, 2025

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Whether you crack a tooth or have severe mouth pain,...
Read More
Young boy smiles and hugs mother

Unlock Your Health: How TRICARE Can Support Your...

News
Sep. 18, 2025

Childhood and teen years can be full of ups and downs. It’s normal for kids to be sad or irritable or to have...
Read More
Dental care provider wearing gloves performs dental procedure on patient in dental chair.

Opioids, Pain Management, and Your Oral Health

News
Sep. 17, 2025

If you’ve had certain dental procedures, like wisdom teeth removal, a root canal, or oral surgery, some...
Read More
Woman wearing dental bib opens her mouth as a dentist uses dental equipment.

The Power of Prevention: Using the TRICARE Denta...

News
Sep. 16, 2025

When it comes to your oral health, a little prevention goes a long way. That’s why the TRICARE Dental Program...
Read More
Unlock Your Health graphic, DHA logo, elderly woman and medical care worker sit together on a couch

Unlock Your Health With TRICARE Home Health Care...

News
Sep. 16, 2025

Is leaving home for care a challenge? TRICARE covers solutions that make it easier to get the care—and...
Read More

Sept. 30, 2025

Share your experiences with COPD care and treatment at Oct. 17 Clinical Practice Guideline patient focus group

Have you been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD? Your feedback could play a key role in developing and updating clinical practice guidelines across the military and veteran health care systems.

Sept. 25, 2025

National Guard or Reserve? Learn What To Do if You Need Line of Duty Care

Are you a member of the National Guard or Reserve? If so, it’s important to know how TRICARE covers you if you become sick or are injured while activated for 30 days or less. This article explores how, where, and under what circumstances National Guard and Reserve members can get line of duty care.

Sept. 23, 2025

Learn How TRICARE Can Help You Manage Chronic Health Conditions

Living with a chronic health condition can feel hard. But you don’t have to do it alone. TRICARE offers programs and coverage to help you live better with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and depression.

Sept. 19, 2025

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Whether you crack a tooth or have severe mouth pain, knowing what to do can save your smile and reduce damage.

Sept. 18, 2025

Unlock Your Health: How TRICARE Can Support Your Child’s Mental Health

Childhood and teen years can be full of ups and downs. It’s normal for kids to be sad or irritable or to have trouble paying attention or interacting with others at times. But sometimes, these feelings and behaviors are signs that your child could need mental health care. Learn how TRICARE can support your child’s mental health and find tips and resources for supporting your child’s well-being.

Sept. 17, 2025

Opioids, Pain Management, and Your Oral Health

If you’ve had certain dental procedures, like wisdom teeth removal, a root canal, or oral surgery, some dentists may prescribe an opioid painkiller to help manage your pain. While your comfort is a priority, it’s important to also understand any potential negative side effects posed by opioids and the importance of using opioids responsibly.

Sept. 16, 2025

The Power of Prevention: Using the TRICARE Dental Program Benefit To Save You Money

When it comes to your oral health, a little prevention goes a long way. That’s why the TRICARE Dental Program covers two routine dental cleanings and examinations each year.

Sept. 16, 2025

Unlock Your Health With TRICARE Home Health Care and Pharmacy Home Delivery

Is leaving home for care a challenge? TRICARE covers solutions that make it easier to get the care—and drugs—you may need. Your TRICARE plan may cover certain in-home health services and pharmacy home delivery options. This gives you flexibility and convenience in your care.

Sept. 10, 2025

Explore Available Counseling and Mental Health Services

Are you a service member, family member, or survivor? Your TRICARE benefit covers a variety of mental health services. But did you know there are other counseling services available to you? This article explores what services you can access if you need support.

Sept. 9, 2025

Live in the West Region? Learn if You Need To Take Action on Your Referrals Before Oct. 1

Are you a TRICARE Prime beneficiary living in the West Region? Are you currently using a referral to get specialty care? If you used the West Region referral approval waiver to see a specialist between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025 and need to continue seeing that specialist, you’ll need to get a new referral to a network specialist before Oct. 1, 2025. If you’re still using a valid referral issued by a previous contractor before Jan. 1, 2025, you also need to get a new referral for any care received starting Oct. 1.