Access to Health Care Among TRICARE-Covered Children

TRICARE-covered children have similar access to health care as children with other types of insurance, but there are some differences

• Caregivers of TRICARE-covered children were more likely to report having coverage for mental and behavioral health needs and less likely to report problems paying for health care.
• They were less likely to have one person they considered their child's personal provider, were more likely to need referrals, and reported greater difficulty getting referrals.
• Among TRICARE beneficiaries, active-duty families were more likely to have a usual source of care and less likely to have problems paying for care. Access to care also varied slightly across different TRICARE plans.

TRICARE-covered children with complex health needs may face particular challenges getting care and services

• Among TRICARE beneficiaries, caregivers of children with special health care needs reported more difficulty getting referrals for specialty care, were more likely to report not getting needed care, had more frustration getting care, and had a greater desire for care coordination help than caregivers of children without special health care needs.

Relocations can be burdensome for military families and can affect children's access to health care

• TRICARE-covered children experience more address changes in their lives than children with other types of insurance.
• Disruptions caused by military relocations may be particularly detrimental for children with special health care needs.
• Within TRICARE, children who moved frequently reported significantly worse access than those who had never moved over a child's life, including more desire for increased care coordination.