Managed Care

Enroll in TRICARE at Fort Irwin

What It Is

TRICARE enrollment assigns you to a Primary Care Manager (PCM), your main provider for routine care. Your PCM is also your starting point for most referrals to specialists.

Who Qualifies

• Active duty service members
• Active duty family members
• Retirees and their families within the applicable service area
• Other TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries who meet enrollment requirements

How to Enroll

1. Confirm your DEERS registration. All family members must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System before enrolling in TRICARE. Visit an ID card office or use milConnect.
2. Choose an enrollment method. Enroll online through milConnect or call TriWest at 1-888-874-9378.
3. Confirm your information. Make sure your residential address is current. Active duty members should also confirm their unit information is correct.
4. Receive your PCM assignment. PCM assignments are based on location, military treatment facility capacity, and TRICARE access standards.

Required Information

• Valid military ID card
• Current residential address
• Sponsor's Social Security Number
• Unit identification information for active duty service members

Important Links

• TRICARE enrollment information
• TRICARE Plan Finder
• milConnect: Manage Health Benefits
• DEERS information

Register a Newborn

What You Need to Know

Register your newborn in DEERS within 90 days of birth for stateside births to maintain TRICARE eligibility and coverage.

Step by Step

1. Register your newborn in DEERS. Bring the required documents to the nearest ID card office.
2. Complete TRICARE enrollment. Use milConnect or call TriWest at 1-888-874-9378.
3. Schedule the first well-child visit. Call the WACH Appointment Line at 866-957-9224.

Required Documents

• Certified birth certificate
• Sponsor's military ID card
• Sponsor's Social Security Number

Referrals for Specialty Care

Referral Requirements

TRICARE Prime beneficiaries generally need a referral from their PCM before receiving specialty care outside the military treatment facility. Receiving non-emergency specialty care without a required referral may result in higher out-of-pocket costs.

Care That Does Not Normally Require a Referral for Prime Family Members

• Preventive care from an authorized network provider
• Routine outpatient mental health care from an authorized network provider
• Emergency care

Mental Health Services That May Require Preauthorization

• Psychoanalysis
• Psychological testing
• Intensive Outpatient Programs
• Partial Hospitalization Programs
• Non-emergency inpatient care
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
• Electroconvulsive Therapy
• Spravato treatment
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Residential Treatment Centers
• Opioid Treatment Programs
• Substance use residential treatment

How the Referral Process Works

1. See your PCM. Your PCM evaluates your medical needs.
2. Your PCM submits the referral. The referral is sent electronically when specialty care is medically necessary.
3. TriWest processes the referral. Available military treatment facility services are considered before network care is authorized.
4. You receive authorization information. Check the assigned provider, approved service, number of visits, and expiration date.
5. Attend your appointment. Bring your military ID and referral authorization information.

Referral Questions

• Call TriWest at 1-888-874-9378.
• Check authorization status through the TriWest Beneficiary Portal .
• Use the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal to communicate with your WACH care team.

Change Your Primary Care Manager

PCM changes are handled through TriWest or milConnect. You normally do not need to visit the Managed Care Division in person.

Option 1: Online

1. Go to milConnect .
2. Log in with your DS Logon or CAC.
3. Select Manage Health Benefits.
4. Follow the prompts to request a PCM change.

Option 2: By Phone

• Call TriWest at 1-888-874-9378.
• Have your military ID information and current address ready.

How to Check Your Current PCM

1. Log in to the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal .
2. Select View Patient Information/PCM.
3. Review the information listed under Medical Contacts.
4. For dependents, select the appropriate family member from the patient menu.

TRICARE Prime Travel Benefit

What It Is

Eligible non-active-duty TRICARE Prime enrollees may receive reimbursement for certain travel expenses when referred for medically necessary specialty care more than 75 miles from their PCM's office.

Who May Qualify

You must meet all applicable program requirements, including:

• You are a non-active-duty TRICARE Prime enrollee.
• You are assigned to a PCM in the United States.
• Your PCM referred you for covered, non-emergency, medically necessary care.
• The approved specialty provider is more than 75 miles one way from your PCM's office.
• No suitable closer provider was available.

What May Be Covered

• Mileage at the authorized rate
• Lodging
• Meals
• Approved Non-Medical Attendant travel, when applicable

How to File

1. Keep all itemized receipts. Retain documentation for meals, lodging, tolls, parking, and other claimed expenses.
2. Gather your referral information. Include the authorization and travel dates.
3. Complete packet and submit. To get started visit  WACH Prime Travel Benefit Program .

Non-Medical Attendant Travel

An eligible parent, spouse, adult family member, or legal guardian may qualify for reimbursement when traveling with the patient. For an adult patient, the referring or treating provider may need to document that the attendant is medically necessary.

Learn more about the TRICARE Prime Travel Benefit .

Space Available Care at WACH

What It Is

Space available care allows TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries who are not enrolled in TRICARE Prime at WACH to receive care when appointments remain available after higher-priority patients are scheduled.

Priority for Appointments

1. Active duty service members
2. TRICARE Prime beneficiaries enrolled at WACH
3. TRICARE Young Adult Prime beneficiaries
4. TRICARE Plus beneficiaries (where offered)
5. All other eligible beneficiaries

Who May Receive Space Available Care

• Military retirees enrolled in TRICARE Select
• TRICARE For Life beneficiaries
• TRICARE Reserve Select beneficiaries
• Retired Reserve beneficiaries
• Dependent parents and parents-in-law with direct care eligibility
• Family members visiting Fort Irwin who are enrolled elsewhere

TRICARE Plus at WACH

How to Request Space Available Care

1. Call the WACH Appointment Line at 866-957-9224.
2. Request a space available appointment.
3. If an appointment is available, you will be scheduled.
4. Bring your military ID card to your appointment.

TriWest Self-Service Portal

The TriWest Beneficiary Portal allows you to manage many aspects of your healthcare benefit online without making a phone call.

What You Can Do

• Check referral and authorization status
• Review claims and payment information
• Make payments
• Request care coordination assistance
• Search for network providers
• Access educational resources

Urgent or Emergency Care — Know Where to Go

Knowing where to seek care can save time and help you receive the right level of treatment.

Military Health System Nurse Advice Line

Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no cost to eligible beneficiaries.

• Call: 800-TRICARE (874-2273), Option 1
• Receive symptom guidance
• Discuss care options
• Determine if urgent care or emergency care is needed
• Find care while traveling

Virtual Care and Telehealth

Fort Irwin's remote location can make travel difficult. Telehealth options may allow you to receive care without leaving home.

Available Virtual Care Options

MHS Video Connect

Some WACH providers offer virtual appointments for follow-up visits, medication management, and selected evaluations.

Nurse Advice Line

Access a registered nurse by phone, web chat, or video chat 24 hours a day.

Network Telehealth Providers

Many TriWest network providers offer telehealth services for primary care, specialty care, behavioral health, and chronic disease management.

Outpatient Mental Health

TRICARE Prime family members may access routine outpatient mental health care through authorized network providers without a referral.

How to Access Virtual Care

• Call WACH Appointment Line: 866-957-9224
• Ask TriWest or your specialist about telehealth availability
• Use the Nurse Advice Line for guidance

Transitioning to Retirement — Keep Your TRICARE Coverage

What Happens When You Retire

Active duty healthcare coverage ends when military service ends. Beneficiaries must take action to continue healthcare coverage and avoid gaps.

Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP)

Eligible service members and families may receive up to 180 days of transitional healthcare benefits after active duty service.

90-Day Enrollment Window

Retirement Checklist

• Obtain retiree ID cards
• Enroll in a retiree TRICARE plan
• Review dental and vision options
• Update DEERS information
• Register with the pharmacy if needed
• Understand retiree cost shares and fees

Key Differences After Retirement

• Enrollment fees and copays may apply
• You are no longer automatically enrolled at an MTF
• Appointment priority changes
• TRICARE For Life becomes available when Medicare eligibility requirements are met

Durable Medical Equipment and Certificates of Medical Necessity

What Is Durable Medical Equipment?

Durable Medical Equipment includes medically necessary equipment prescribed for repeated or long-term use.

• Wheelchairs and walkers
• CPAP machines
• Hospital beds
• Prosthetic devices
• Braces and orthotic devices
• Oxygen equipment
• Blood glucose monitors

How to Obtain Equipment Through TRICARE

1. Your provider evaluates the need. Medical necessity is documented in your medical record.
2. Required documentation is completed. This may include a Certificate of Medical Necessity.
3. The referral or authorization request is submitted. Your provider or PCM office sends the request for review.
4. TriWest processes the request. An authorized supplier is identified when the request is approved.
5. The supplier provides the equipment. The approved equipment is issued according to the authorization.

What You Need to Know

• Many DME items require a referral and prior authorization.
• Your provider must document medical necessity.
• Using a non-network supplier may result in higher costs.
• TRICARE may approve rental instead of purchase for some items.
• Replacement or repair may also require authorization.

For authorization status or supplier questions, call TriWest at 1-888-874-9378.

Services Available at WACH vs. Off-Post

Weed Army Community Hospital provides a range of healthcare services at Fort Irwin. When a required specialty is not available at WACH, your PCM may submit a referral for care in the TRICARE network.

Services Available at WACH

Services Commonly Referred Off Post

• Cardiology
• Dermatology
• Gastroenterology
• Ear, nose, and throat care
• Neurology
• Oncology and hematology
• Urology
• Endocrinology
• Pulmonology
• Pediatric subspecialty care
• Allergy and immunology
• Selected advanced imaging or procedures not available at WACH

Your PCM coordinates referrals for medically necessary services that are not available at WACH.

Quality, Safety, and Privacy

Quality and Safety Information

WACH participates in Military Health System quality, safety, and performance reporting programs. View Military Health System quality information .

Notice of Privacy Practices

Your health information is protected under federal law. The Military Health System Notice of Privacy Practices explains how information may be used and disclosed and how you may access your records. Read the MHS Notice of Privacy Practices .

Patient Rights

• Receive respectful, high-quality care
• Receive understandable information about your condition and treatment options
• Participate in decisions about your care
• Access your medical records according to applicable law and policy
• Submit a complaint, compliment, or concern through the Patient Advocate

Patient Responsibilities

• Treat staff and other patients with respect
• Provide accurate health and contact information
• Follow the agreed treatment plan or tell your care team when you cannot
• Keep scheduled appointments or cancel as early as possible

Contact the WACH Patient Advocate at 760-383-5099.

Debt Collection & Benefits Advisory

Beneficiary Counseling and Debt Collection Assistance

Need help understanding your TRICARE benefits, resolving a claim or billing issue, or addressing a debt related to an unpaid TRICARE claim? The Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator and Debt Collection Assistance Officer provide personalized, virtual assistance to help beneficiaries understand their options and identify the appropriate next steps.

A Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator (BCAC) can help with TRICARE benefit questions, claims concerns, and general guidance. A Debt Collection Assistance Officer (DCAO) assists when an unpaid TRICARE claim has been sent to collections or appears on a credit report. 

Visit the BCAC/DCAO page for assistance, claim resources, contact information, and office hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Referrals

PCM Changes

Enrollment

Travel Benefit

Space Available Care

Online Tools and Contacts