TRICARE provides health benefits for active-duty service members, retirees, National Guard, Reserve, and their families. TRICARE covers medically necessary behavioral health at every level of care. This page walks through detox, drug rehab, mental health treatment, and outpatient rehab under TRICARE.
Direct answer
TRICARE covers medically necessary medical detox, drug rehab, mental health treatment, and outpatient rehab (PHP and IOP) for service members, retirees, and their families. Referral requirements vary by plan (Prime, Select, For Life). Real Deal accepts TRICARE and verifies benefits before you start.
TRICARE is the U.S. Department of Defense's health care program, administered by the Defense Health Agency and regional contractors (Humana Military for the East Region, Health Net Federal Services for the West Region). TRICARE covers roughly 9.6 million beneficiaries including active-duty personnel, retirees, National Guard, Reserve, family members, and eligible former spouses.
TRICARE covers behavioral health at every level of care under federal parity law. Here’s what that means, level by level.
TRICARE covers medically necessary inpatient and residential detox when withdrawal poses medical risk. This includes withdrawal medications, monitoring, and stabilization for alcohol, benzodiazepine, and opioid dependence.
Typical requirements
TRICARE covers substance use disorder treatment at every level — residential, PHP, IOP, and outpatient. Coverage includes individual and group therapy, MAT for opioid and alcohol use, and psychiatric care.
Typical requirements
TRICARE covers outpatient mental health treatment including therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management. TRICARE has expanded telehealth options and reduced barriers for service members seeking behavioral health care.
Typical requirements
TRICARE covers PHP and IOP under its Substance Use Disorder benefit and Behavioral Health benefit. Prior authorization is standard.
Typical requirements
Not sure what plan you have? Grab your card and call 469-747-1201. Verification is free and takes about 15 minutes — we’ll tell you your estimated out-of-pocket before you commit.
Free confidential verification. About 15 minutes. We tell you the estimated cost before you start.
Call 469-747-1201
We work with the plans below. If yours isn’t listed, call anyway — we probably still work with you.
“Real Deal is without a doubt the most structured and therapeutic rehab program I have ever attended. It has brought me to one year in sobriety and I don't know what I would have done had I not participated in the program. I highly recommend Real Deal to anyone struggling with alcohol and/or drugs. It's amazing. Just try it and you will see for yourself!”
“Realdeal wellness and therapy will always have a special place in my heart for all the opportunities and care they've provided. They helped pave the way for me to achieve sobriety and build a better life for myself and when I needed them the most they were there in a heartbeat. Extremely grateful for their services and the environment they provide for recovery.”
“Real deal is a truly rare place that has instrumental in my rehabilitation. The staff truly cares deeply about you and wants you to succeed. Also Real Deal is one of not many outpatient rehab places that takes primary mental health cases. Highly recommend this place and thank you to everyone who helped me.”
“I love all of these guys. These guys made me feel better. They made me think better. I don't feel those ways anymore. Before I came here, I was certain I wouldn't be alive for much longer. These guys fixed that.”
“The Real Deal is an incredible program that prioritizes accessibility more than almost any other PHP, IOP, and Housing program. With housing fees at lower price point than a majority of sober livings, the option to have your pet with you, and a supportive recovery community, they really do try to eliminate barriers to care as much as possible.”
“Real Deal is different then the others. It offers flexible support for recovery, allowing you to live at home while attending therapy and counseling sessions. It's designed to fit your schedule and provides tools to maintain sobriety and prevent relapse. The focus on mental health is a great way to get to the root of what's gone wrong time and time again. Cannot recommend enough!”
“Real Deal is full of people who are passionate in helping others obtain and maintain their sobriety. They are always willing to lend a helping hand without judgement. They also have employees with real world experience using their own experiences to help others heal.”
Straight answers before you call.
Yes. TRICARE covers medically necessary substance use and mental health treatment at every level of care for service members, retirees, and dependents.
TRICARE Prime typically requires a referral from your Primary Care Manager (PCM). TRICARE Select generally does not require a referral for most behavioral health services.
Yes. We accept active-duty service members (with command approval), retirees, National Guard, Reserve, and family members enrolled in TRICARE.
Federal substance use privacy law (42 CFR Part 2) provides strong protections. Certain situations for active-duty do involve command notification — we walk you through what applies.
