This is a qualified health-care provider, group of providers or clinic that supervises your care like a family doctor. The PCM may refer you elsewhere for tests and specialty care, but will always supervise your care. You always know where to go for initial care, and getting appointments with your PCM is easy. Most economical option for most people. You pay no deductibles and only modest fixed fees for civilian care in the PPN, rather than the sizable percentage copayments of Tricare Standard.
Civilian providers file their claims for payment directly with contractor.
Within four weeks. Away from home, you still get Tricare Prime coverage. You phone a toll-free number to get PCM or HCF assistance in locating a provider, then bring the bill back for the contractor to pay. You must use assigned PCM and Prime network for all care, except true emergencies. For most people, this is not a problem.