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News | Aug. 4, 2026

Q&A: Understanding the Global Nurse Advice Line

By TRICARE Communications

Do you know what to do when you or a family member feels sick, but it’s outside of business hours? Should you go to an urgent care clinic or the emergency room, or wait until your doctor’s office is open? Luckily, TRICARE has a service called the Global Nurse Advice Line that can help when you need healthcare guidance.

What’s the Global Nurse Advice Line?

The Global Nurse Advice Line lets you connect with a registered nurse by phone, chat, or video. It’s available 24/7 and free for TRICARE beneficiaries to use. Registered nurses are available to answer your questions, assess your symptoms, and give you advice. They can help when you’re feeling sick, worried about what medication to take for your symptoms, find the closest urgent care or emergency care facility, or aren’t sure if you should seek medical care. They can also help you make appointments and even provide an online “sick slip” when medically appropriate.

Who can use the Global Nurse Advice Line?

If you live in the U.S., you can use the Global Nurse Advice Line. If you live outside of the U.S., you must be enrolled to a military hospital or clinic to use the Global Nurse Advice Line.

Note: You can’t use the Global Nurse Advice Line if you’re enrolled in the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan or the TRICARE Prime Demo. These plans have their own nurse advice lines.

It’s important that the sponsor’s and family members’ personal information is up to date in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Log in via milConnect to check this information.

How do I use the Global Nurse Advice Line?

Connecting with a nurse is easy:
  • If you live in the U.S., Guam, or Puerto Rico: Call 800-TRICARE (800-874-2273) and choose Option 1.
  • If you live overseas: Visit Global Nurse Advice Line to find country-specific phone numbers.

You can also use the live text or video chat features to get your questions answered.
Be sure to have your Department of Defense benefit number ready when you contact the Global Nurse Advice Line. As described in the TRICARE Contact Wallet Card, you can find this number on your ID card.

Keep in mind that the Global Nurse Advice Line isn’t for emergency situations. Health emergencies are conditions that threaten your life, limb, eyesight, or safety. If you or a family member reasonably believes you’re experiencing a health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you’re overseas, call your international emergency number.

Life can be full of surprises. That’s why the Global Nurse Advice Line is here for you 24/7, even on holidays. Whether you’re at home, moving, or traveling, you can always get reliable healthcare advice.

*Watch “Global Nurse Advice Line: Your Partner in Health” to learn how the Global Nurse Advice Line has helped TRICARE beneficiaries get care when they need it most.

Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions to get benefit updates, news, and more.

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