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 | Oct. 25, 2022

Have Low Back Pain? You May Qualify for TRICARE Demonstration

By TRICARE Communications

There are many reasons to go to the doctor, but a very common reason is pain. Chronic pain—pain lasting three or more months—affects thousands of service members and their families every day. One such type of pain is low back pain.
 
The Military Health System is raising awareness about pain management. Did you know TRICARE has a Low Back Pain and Physical Therapy Demonstration? The demonstration is available in 10 states:
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Kentucky
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia
 
“All of us experience pain in our lifetime,” said Erica Ferron, program manager for the Low Back Pain and Physical Therapy Demonstration. “How we experience, react to, and manage pain depends on the causes and symptoms behind a unique individual’s pain. Low back pain is one of the most common types of pain. It can affect our ability to function fully at work, at home, and in life in general. It’s a quality of life issue.”
 
Understanding low back pain
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, low back pain is very common. In fact, it causes more disability around the world than any other condition. Low back pain can result from injuries, conditions, or diseases. Some causes include arthritis, muscle strain, and disk injuries, to name a few. Your doctor may prescribe rest, physical therapy, medication, or other treatments to aid your recovery. Healing from lower back pain doesn’t happen overnight. Be sure to give it time, and check in with your doctor if necessary.
 
The majority of low back pain lasts less than four weeks from onset of symptoms and heals with self-care. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy for low back pain that doesn’t resolve with time or medication.
 
Understanding the demonstration
TRICARE developed the Low Back Pain and Physical Therapy Demonstration to address the ongoing issue of low back pain among service members’ family members and retirees and their family members. The demonstration:
  • Runs through Dec. 31, 2023.
  • Waives cost-shares for up to three covered physical therapy sessions for eligible beneficiaries. After the third covered physical therapy session, you’ll pay regular cost-shares and copayments for future covered sessions. Waived cost-shares don’t apply toward your annual deductible.
  • Doesn’t waive your point-of-service fees if you’re a TRICARE Prime enrollee.
 
To participate, you must:
  • Have a primary diagnosis of low back pain.
  • Have a referral from a TRICARE-authorized provider for physical therapy services to treat your low back pain.
  • Receive physical therapy services from TRICARE-authorized network provider after Jan. 1, 2021. If you have TRICARE For Life, however, you may receive physical therapy services from either a TRICARE-authorized network or non-network provider.
 
“We know that most beneficiaries will need more than three physical therapy visits to treat their pain,” Ferron said. “Whether you’re in a demonstration state or not, you have access to TRICARE’s physical therapy benefit. We hope that by removing the fees for the initial visits, some people will try, and benefit from, physical therapy. Especially those who might not have otherwise tried it.”
 
Even if you don’t have access to the demonstration, Ferron encourages anyone with low back pain that lasts longer than a few weeks to make an appointment with your provider to help decide which treatment may be best for you. At the end of the demonstration, TRICARE will decide whether to expand the benefits to all states and territories based on the demonstration’s results.
 
For additional info on eligibility for the Low Back Pain and Physical Therapy Demonstration, refer to the TRICARE website. To review your costs based on your health plan, check out the Compare Costs Tool.
 
Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit the TRICARE Subscriptions page today, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
Medical provider meets with patient

Getting a New Prescription? Check TRICARE Formul...

News
May. 16, 2023

You’re at a medical appointment and you’re getting a new prescription. Before your provider sends an...
Read More
Service member receives vaccine

How COVID-19 Public Health Emergency’s End Affec...

News
May. 15, 2023

The Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 expired at the end of May 11. You might be wondering what this...
Read More
A military doctor checks a patient's heartbeat with a stethoscope.

Key Things To Know About Your TRICARE Primary Ca...

News
May. 10, 2023

If you’re a new or longtime TRICARE Prime enrollee, you need to know about your primary care manager (PCM)...
Read More
A photo shows a young man wearing athletic clothes.

Brandon Act Aims to Improve Mental Health Support

News
May. 05, 2023

The Brandon Act aims at improving the referral process for service members seeking a mental health evaluation...
Read More
TRICARE May 18 Webinar

Turning 65 Soon? Sign Up for May 18 TRICARE For ...

News
May. 04, 2023

Most people become entitled to Medicare when they reach age 65. If you or a family member will turn 65 this...
Read More
A military nurse delivers a vaccine to a patient

Know Which Vaccines You Need and How TRICARE Cov...

News
May. 03, 2023

TRICARE covers age-appropriate doses of vaccines, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)...
Read More
A dentist uses a set of demonstration teeth to show a patient

New TRICARE Dental Program Premiums Start May 1

News
May. 01, 2023

TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) premium rates go into effect each year on May 1. Premiums are what you pay each...
Read More
A doctor writes notes at her desk

Living Overseas? Here’s How TRICARE Covers Telem...

News
Apr. 18, 2023

Depending on the country they’re in, TRICARE Overseas Program enrollees may be able to get telemedicine care...
Read More

May 16, 2023

Getting a New Prescription? Check TRICARE Formulary Search Tool

You’re at a medical appointment and you’re getting a new prescription. Before your provider sends an electronic prescription or gives you a paper prescription, it may be helpful for you and your provider to look up the drug with the TRICARE Formulary Search Tool.

May 15, 2023

How COVID-19 Public Health Emergency’s End Affects TRICARE

The Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 expired at the end of May 11. You might be wondering what this means about the state of COVID-19 or if there are changes to your TRICARE coverage.

May 10, 2023

Key Things To Know About Your TRICARE Primary Care Manager

If you’re a new or longtime TRICARE Prime enrollee, you need to know about your primary care manager (PCM). Your PCM is the health care provider you’ll visit for most of your care. Learn about the role your PCM will play in your health care and your options for choosing or changing your PCM.

May 5, 2023

Brandon Act Aims to Improve Mental Health Support

The Brandon Act aims at improving the referral process for service members seeking a mental health evaluation and allowing them to seek help confidentially, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness said.

May 4, 2023

Turning 65 Soon? Sign Up for May 18 TRICARE For Life Webinar

Most people become entitled to Medicare when they reach age 65. If you or a family member will turn 65 this year, join us Thursday, May 18, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET for a webinar, “Getting Started With Medicare and TRICARE.”

May 3, 2023

Know Which Vaccines You Need and How TRICARE Covers Them

TRICARE covers age-appropriate doses of vaccines, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. When you follow your plan’s rules, you can get these vaccines at no cost. Read on to learn more about getting yourself and your family vaccinated.

May 1, 2023

New TRICARE Dental Program Premiums Start May 1

TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) premium rates go into effect each year on May 1. Premiums are what you pay each month for TDP coverage. The new TDP rates are effective May 1, 2023 through April 30, 2024.

April 18, 2023

Living Overseas? Here’s How TRICARE Covers Telemedicine

Depending on the country they’re in, TRICARE Overseas Program enrollees may be able to get telemedicine care from the comfort of their home. In recent years, the TRICARE Overseas contractor, International SOS, expanded telemedicine services in line with the new telemedicine laws in many countries.

April 13, 2023

Get Advice From a Nurse 24/7

With the coming of spring, the temperatures warm and the tempo of life picks up. Outdoor activities resume—recreation, yardwork, cookouts—and change of station plans swing into high gear. Amid the busyness of these warmer months, the potential for minor injuries and health concerns may increase. It’s good to know that you have all-the-time access to health information and advice via the Military Health System Nurse Advice Line.

April 11, 2023

Q&A: Getting Urgent Care With TRICARE

Getting sick or injured is never convenient. Fortunately, getting urgent care can take away some of the inconvenience of minor illnesses and injuries.

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