TRICARE DIRECT CARE ONLY (DCO) OR TRICARE DIRECT MAY LEAVE YOU WITHOUT PROPER COVERAGE
TRICARE is a healthcare provider around 10 million people rely on, with a large number of beneficiaries coming from the military community. However, there are plenty of different plans to enroll in, options to choose from, and considerations families need to remember when choosing healthcare providers/plans. These issues are amplified when considering TRICARE Direct Care Only (DCO) or TRICARE Direct plans, which may leave families lacking adequate healthcare. Below, we’re helping milspouses explore some of the considerations of TRICARE Direct Care Only and TRICARE Direct plans to help you avoid missteps.
What Is Direct Care Only With TRICARE?
If you don’t enroll in access, you’ll receive coverage under TRICARE Direct Care Only (DCO) or TRICARE Direct plans.
With these plans, beneficiaries receive coverage when receiving healthcare at military hospitals and clinics, only.
Furthermore, DCO plans only provide access to care if the military facility has space for patients and you can’t use your benefits at civilian healthcare providers.
This is not the same as a standard TRICARE plan and if your Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) records only show "Direct Care Only," you need to understand the limitations of your healthcare plan.
Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs)
With TRICARE Direct, you can receive care at MTFs, which include military hospitals and clinics on installations that are part of the Military Health System. Be sure to verify that where you receive care qualifies under this definition to avoid confusion.
What Milspouses Should Know Before Enrolling in TRICARE Direct
Typically, beneficiaries have the option to choose from one of these many TRICARE plans, depending on your eligibility:
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Select
- TRICARE Young Adult
- TRICARE For Life
- TRICARE beneficiaries eligible for Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program
- TRICARE Reserve Select
But if you are enrolled in a TRICARE Direct plan, prepare to have limitations on where you can go, the care you receive, and the availability of services.
Fortunately, being enrolled in TRICARE Direct is avoidable by exploring your healthcare options, paying attention to enrollment period deadlines, contacting your regional TRICARE contractor, and maintaining your premiums.
Furthermore, each TRICARE plan is going to come with different out-of-pocket costs, premiums, copays, etc., that you’ll need to compare to make sure they fit your budget, while also comparing coverages to ensure your healthcare needs are met.
Finally, milspouses should know that if they need dental or vision coverage for dependents, TRICARE Direct plans do not offer these benefits. Additional healthcare options may be necessary.
Retirees
TRICARE works a bit differently for retired service members and families but if you don’t have a healthcare plan within 90 days after turning 60 years old, you’ll also qualify for coverage under a DCO plan.
TRICARE Direct Care is Complex
Keep in mind that while we aim to help milspouses better understand their healthcare options, consider the following:
- This is not professional advice.
- Decisions should be made only with the help of a licensed healthcare professional.
- Our guide is more of a reference point. Exceptions and outliers may apply.
Overall, TRICARE is a difficult subject with a lot of moving parts. Be sure to seek out professionals before enrolling in TRICARE Direct Care, TRICARE Direct, or any other healthcare plan to find the right one that meets your needs.
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