Once you've transferred your TRICARE plan, the next step is to find the actual healthcare providers who will care for your family. This process can seem daunting, but a systematic approach makes it much more manageable.

Step 1: Use the Official TRICARE Provider Directory

Your first and best resource is the official provider directory for your TRICARE region. This ensures the doctors you find are in the TRICARE network, which will save you significant money and paperwork.

• TRICARE East Region: Use the Humana Military Provider Finder.
• TRICARE West Region: Use the Health Net Federal Services Provider Directory.

You can filter by specialty (e.g., Pediatrics, Family Medicine), location, and other factors to generate a list of potential doctors.

Step 2: Getting Referrals (TRICARE Prime)

If you are enrolled in TRICARE Prime, you will need a referral from your assigned Primary Care Manager (PCM) before you can see most specialists.

• The Process: Once you have a new PCM, you will make an appointment with them to discuss your need for specialty care (e.g., for an allergist, dermatologist, etc.). Your PCM will then submit a referral request to TRICARE.
• Check the Status: You can check the status of your referral on your regional contractor's website. Once approved, you will be authorized to see a specific specialist or choose from a list of approved specialists.

Step 3: Finding a Dentist

Dental care is separate from your main TRICARE health plan. Most active-duty families are covered by the TRICARE Dental Program, which is administered by United Concordia.

• Find a Dentist: Use the United Concordia "Find a Dentist" tool to locate dentists in your new area who accept the TRICARE Dental Program.

Pro-Tips for Your Search:

• Ask for Recommendations: Local military spouse Facebook groups are an invaluable resource. Ask for real-world recommendations for pediatricians, dentists, and other doctors.
• Call Ahead: Before making an appointment, call the doctor's office and confirm that they are currently accepting new TRICARE patients. Sometimes online directories can be slightly out of date.
• Don't Wait for an Emergency: Start the process of finding a primary care doctor and pediatrician as soon as you arrive. You don't want to be scrambling to find a doctor when your child has a high fever in the middle of the night.