Within the past several weeks I have had to advise more than a few people on their Tricare rights and responsibilities when it comes to an Emergency Room visit. Fall and winter routinely bring colds, the flu, and other illnesses that often come quickly and can be pretty scary. Trying to figure out where to take yourself or your children so that insurance will cover the visit should be the last thing on your mind.

Rest assured, Tricare will accept claims from any emergency room as long as you have shown your proof of insurance (ie- your military ID card) within 24 hours of admittance. From there, it is the responsibility of the hospital to contact Tricare to have those claims reimbursed. It really is that simple.

Another popular question deals with Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Emergency Rooms. Many families assume that they need to visit the MTF Emergency Room if they are near a military installation. While that is definitely an option, you have the right to choose where you or your family member go for emergency care. In fact, for children, choosing an emergency room that is intended solely for children is often much more reassuring to the child and you can feel comfortable in knowing that your child will see a pediatrician.

The best thing you can do for your family is to research nearby hospitals and come up with a plan of treatment should an emergency arise. Find out which hospital is best equipped to deal with children or who has the highest record dealing with a need that may be particular to your family such as cardiac, pulmonary, or any other high risk specialty. Figure out which emergency room is best for meeting the needs of your family.

Emergency room visits are scary enough without having to think about insurance and where to go for treatment. Do your research before there is a need to visit the ER and make sure you carry your military ID card with your everywhere. That way, you won’t have to worry about the details. You can focus on you and your family.