Difference Between TRICARE vs TriWest

Contact Us

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Home » Blog » Difference Between TRICARE vs TriWest

Having good mental health is important for everyone. Someone who has experience serving in the U.S. military may find themselves in need of treatment for a mental health disorder. When this happens, they often have questions about what their insurance plans cover. For some, confusion can arise about the difference between TRICARE vs. TriWest. Montare Behavioral Health of Tucson accepts several types of insurance, including TriWest. We explore the differences between the two plans and the kind of quality treatment your coverage can get you in our mental health programs. 

What is TRICARE?

The first step in understanding the difference between TRICARE vs TriWest is exploring what each type of program is about and who it serves. TRICARE is an insurance company that provides coverage for active duty service members, retirees, and their families. They currently serve over 9 million people through services at military medical clinics, military hospitals, and dental clinics. TRICARE also provides vision care, prescription drugs, reproductive health services, and more. Up until 1996, Tricare was known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). 

What is TriWest Insurance?

TriWest Healthcare Alliance, commonly called TriWest, has served as a third-party administrator for regions 4 and 5 of the Veterans Affairs Community Care Network since 2014. This area includes a dozen states in the western region of the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Alaska. It also includes three U.S. territories: Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands. TriWest provides coverage for military veterans who were honorably discharged and some members of the National Guard and Reserves. In August 2024, TriWest will expand to cover services in all or parts of a total of 21 states. 

Montare Veterans Program

What’s the Difference Between TRICARE vs TriWest?

While it might initially seem difficult to understand the difference between TRICARE vs TriWest, it comes down to which communities each type of insurance covers. In short, TRICARE covers active duty service members, retirees, and their family members. TriWest covers veterans and certain members of the National Guard and Reserves. 

This difference can become confusing because people sometimes mistake “retiree” for meaning the same thing as “veteran”. A retiree is someone who completed 20 years or more of military service with the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps. Exceptions for the length of time include if the person suffered certain types of disabilities while on active duty. 

Veterans are individuals who served time in active duty with Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, including less than 20 years. They qualify for coverage as long as they did not receive a dishonorable discharge. In short, retirees are also considered veterans, but not all veterans qualify as retirees. 

Man asking about Tricare vs TriWest mental health insurance benefits

Does TRICARE or TriWest Cover Mental Health Treatment?

Often, military members have a greater risk of needing mental health coverage than civilians. In particular, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can become a reality for those who have served, making it important that they receive focused, effective care for their mental health. 

TRICARE provides coverage for mental health disorders for everyone under its umbrella of coverage. TriWest also offers comprehensive care for mental health disorders. Different kinds of mental health disorders typically covered include the following: 

 

Coverage can include residential care, outpatient care, basic counseling, and prescription medications. 

All too often, someone who has a mental health disorder also experiences an addiction to drugs or alcohol. For this reason, many treatment programs, including Montare Behavioral Health of Tucson, offer plans that address both illnesses at the same time. This helps save time and money by addressing both conditions simultaneously.

If you or someone you love wants to use your military health coverage to get treatment for mental illness or addiction, we can help you understand what steps to take. Our staff helps you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. In addition, we can help you get started on the paperwork necessary to begin treatment quickly.

Use TRICARE or TriWest Insurance for Mental Health Treatment in Tucson, Arizona

Are you a military veteran or a member of the National Guard and Reserves and would like to get help for a mental health disorder? Montare Behavioral Health of Tucson provides focused care for people who have served in the military because we understand the specific needs of this community. We provide access to several types of therapy that help people improve their symptoms related to illnesses such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression. We proudly accept TriWest insurance to help provide our military community with the help they so richly deserve. 

If you would like to speak with one of our professionals, visit our admissions page now. We can answer any questions you have about your insurance coverage.

Montare Veterans Program