Have Medical Questions? Call the TRICARE Nurse Advice Line

  • Published
  • By 5th Medical Group
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Sometimes it is difficult to know if and when to seek medical help for acute health problems, so having professional help at a moment's notice is invaluable. The Military Health System's new Nurse Advice Line for TRICARE beneficiaries provides a team of registered nurses who are available to answer a variety of urgent healthcare questions any time of the day. They can help you decide whether self-care is the best option, or if it is better to see a healthcare provider.

Beginning now, TRICARE beneficiaries in the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii can call the NAL at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), Option 1. The number is toll-free and available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, for beneficiaries to talk to a live-person who can address their concerns. Please note that PRP and Flight Medicine patients are unable to use this option. For after-hours, these patients should continue to call 701-723-5627.

The NAL offers a variety of solutions for all TRICARE beneficiaries. For pediatric issues, the NAL customer service representative will route the beneficiary to a pediatric nurse. If a follow up is necessary or requested, the NAL nurse will call the beneficiary back to check the child's status a few hours later.

The NAL nurse can also make same-day appointments with a beneficiary's primary care manager for TRICARE Prime beneficiaries who are enrolled to Military Treatment Facilities. If a same day appointment is not available, the NAL nurse will redirect the beneficiary to the closest urgent-care center, and advise the PCM that an urgent care referral is needed so the patient does not have to worry about paying service co-pays.

All other TRICARE beneficiaries who are not enrolled to a MTF will receive professional health advice about their urgent health concern and when to seek urgent care.

When calling the NAL, a customer service representative will verify the beneficiary's eligibility through the Defense Enrollment and Eligibility Reporting System. Beneficiaries with an acute health care concern or question will be connected with a registered nurse who will ask the beneficiary a series of standard questions to determine the next steps and allow the NAL nurse to provide the best advice possible.

You can still call your PCM or the Minot AFB clinic, but the NAL is another option for beneficiaries to access the care they need and want in a timely fashion. To access the NAL, dial 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), Option 1.