FEBRUARY 12, 2026 – Are you enrolled in a TRICARE Prime plan? If you see a primary care manager at a military hospital or clinic, you may now have a new way to get urgent care. The Defense Health Agency has expanded its virtual urgent care options in the U.S. This allows TRICARE Prime enrollees ages 12 and older to schedule virtual urgent care through the Military Health System Nurse Advice Line.
“Now, if your local military clinic is booked, you can call the MHS Nurse Advice Line. A nurse will assess if you can get a virtual urgent care appointment for the same or next day,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ryan Shubat, chief, Primary Care and Mental Health Healthcare Optimization at the DHA. “This is part of the Defense Health Agency’s effort to improve health care access.”
What conditions does virtual urgent care treat?
Virtual urgent care providers can work with you to treat these common urgent care issues:
- Sinus congestion and infections
- Cough
- Allergies
- Sore or hoarse throat
- Rashes
- Acne
- Muscle and joint pain
- Headaches
Where is virtual urgent care offered?
Currently, it’s offered in the U.S. It isn’t available overseas or in U.S. territories.
How to schedule an appointment
Getting virtual urgent care is simple. Call the MHS Nurse Advice Line at 800-TRICARE or visit MHS Nurse Advice Line 24/7.
A nurse will ask you about your symptoms and decide if your condition can be treated virtually. If virtual care works for you, the nurse will set up your virtual appointment with providers from the Virtually Integrated Patient Readiness and Remote care clinic.
Appointments are available from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. ET. This extended availability makes it easier to get care when you need it most. You can expect to get an appointment the same day or the following day.
Quality care you can trust
All virtual urgent care providers meet high standards for patient care. Each provider has credentials and privileges at a DHA military hospital or clinic. Your virtual visit gets recorded in MHS GENESIS, keeping your health records complete and current.
Virtual urgent care providers can also write prescriptions and send them directly to your preferred pharmacy.
Benefits of virtual urgent care
This new virtual option improves your access to care and reduces wait times for urgent medical needs. Instead of waiting for routine appointments or visiting emergency rooms for nonemergency issues, you can receive quality care from home.
Virtual care saves time and helps you get treatment faster. This approach supports DHA’s strategy to build a health care system that gives you more choices in managing your health.
Supporting service members
DHA continues to explore ways to expand virtual health care options for service members and their eligible family members. Virtual health care represents a key part of building a more modern and integrated health care delivery system.
More information
For more details about your TRICARE benefit and virtual care options, visit Virtual Health or call 800-TRICARE. The MHS Nurse Advice Line can help you determine if virtual care is right for your situation.
Courtesy Story
Defense Health Agency