When it comes to healthcare, veterans deserve more than just coverage — they deserve care that’s comprehensive, accessible, and tailored to their unique needs. For veterans living in Baltimore, TRICARE plays a central role in that equation. While many are familiar with TRICARE for routine doctor visits and prescriptions, fewer know about the wide range of specialized services it covers.
Specialized healthcare includes services that go beyond general check-ups and acute care. We’re talking about things like women’s health, chronic pain treatment, vision services, mental health care, and other focused areas that require more in-depth attention. For veterans managing service-connected injuries, long-term conditions, or age-related concerns, these services can be life-changing. Understanding how to access them — and where to go locally — can make all the difference.
What TRICARE Covers in Specialized Care
TRICARE is a healthcare program managed by the Defense Health Agency, offering benefits to active duty service members, retirees, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families. In addition to general healthcare, TRICARE covers a wide range of specialty services when deemed medically necessary and referred by a primary care provider.
Specialty care might include:
- Women’s health services, including gynecology, maternity care, and mammograms
- Chronic pain management, including physical therapy, pain clinics, and certain injections
- Vision care, including exams, corrective lenses, and treatment for eye diseases
- Mental health services, including therapy and psychiatric care
- Specialty surgery, neurology, cardiology, and more
For Baltimore-based veterans, these services are available through a combination of TRICARE-authorized civilian providers and VA medical facilities.
Navigating the TRICARE System for Specialty Care
The first step in accessing any specialized care through TRICARE is establishing a Primary Care Manager (PCM), which can be a provider at a military treatment facility or a civilian doctor within the TRICARE network. Your PCM acts as the gatekeeper for most specialty referrals.
Once a referral is made, TRICARE’s managed care support contractor (currently Humana Military for the East Region, which includes Maryland) handles the authorization process. From there, you’ll be connected with a specialist who accepts TRICARE.
It’s important to ensure that the provider is TRICARE-authorized and that services are covered under your plan — whether you’re using TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, or another version. Veterans who also qualify for care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may be able to use both systems in tandem, depending on the service and location.
Women’s Health Services in Baltimore
Women veterans are one of the fastest-growing populations in the military community, and TRICARE has expanded its women’s health benefits to meet their needs. Services include well-woman exams, breast cancer screenings, prenatal and postnatal care, birth control options, hormone therapy, and treatment for gynecological conditions.
Baltimore-area women can access TRICARE-covered care through both VA resources and private practices. The Baltimore VA Medical Center has a Women’s Health Program designed specifically to provide a comfortable and comprehensive care experience for female veterans. The program includes primary care, OB/GYN services, mental health counseling, and coordination with civilian providers when necessary.
Additionally, TRICARE beneficiaries can use private gynecology clinics and OB/GYN specialists in the TRICARE network throughout the Baltimore area. Whether you prefer the VA system or a civilian specialist, the key is to work with your PCM for referrals and to confirm network participation.
Chronic Pain Management and Physical Therapy
Chronic pain is one of the most common and debilitating issues facing veterans — whether caused by injuries, repetitive strain, or underlying health conditions. Thankfully, TRICARE covers many chronic pain treatments, including physical therapy, chiropractic services (in some cases), acupuncture, and interventional procedures like nerve blocks or injections.
The Baltimore VA Medical Center offers comprehensive pain management services through its Pain Management Clinic. This includes physical medicine, rehabilitation, and integrative therapies. Veterans can also be referred to pain specialists in the TRICARE civilian network, particularly if they require advanced procedures or treatment plans that the VA system doesn’t provide in-house.
Veterans who are dual-eligible for TRICARE and VA services can often choose where to receive their care based on convenience, availability, and personal preference.
Vision and Eye Care in the Baltimore Region
Vision care through TRICARE varies depending on your status and plan type. Retirees and dependents with TRICARE Select or Prime can receive routine eye exams every two years, and active-duty members are eligible annually. TRICARE also covers medically necessary eye services, such as glaucoma treatment, cataract surgery, and care for other eye diseases.
Baltimore veterans can access vision care through the VA Maryland Health Care System, which offers comprehensive eye exams, prescriptions, and treatment for ocular conditions. The Baltimore VA Medical Center includes an Eye Clinic that provides regular screenings and referrals to ophthalmology specialists if advanced care is needed.
TRICARE beneficiaries can also seek vision care through network optometrists and ophthalmologists in the area. Major providers like Johns Hopkins, Mercy Medical Center, and University of Maryland Medical Center have eye care departments that accept TRICARE referrals for specialized treatment.
Mental and Behavioral Health Care
Mental health is a crucial aspect of veteran well-being. TRICARE provides access to individual therapy, psychiatric medication management, inpatient care, and telehealth options. Services include treatment for PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and other mental health challenges.
In Baltimore, veterans can turn to the VA’s dedicated Mental Health Clinical Center located within the Baltimore VA Medical Center. This facility offers outpatient services, intensive programs, and support groups, all tailored to veterans’ experiences.
TRICARE beneficiaries may also access mental health providers in the community, including psychologists, psychiatrists, and licensed counselors. Many of these professionals offer trauma-informed care specifically designed for former service members.
It’s worth noting that for mental health services, TRICARE often allows direct access without a referral, depending on the specific plan and service needed. This can reduce barriers to care and encourage earlier treatment.
Combining TRICARE and VA Services
Baltimore veterans are often eligible for both TRICARE and VA benefits, particularly if they are retired from the military. While these systems operate independently, many veterans use both to maximize access to care.
For example, a veteran might receive primary care through the VA, use TRICARE for a civilian specialist, and fill prescriptions at the VA pharmacy. Others may use the VA for mental health care and TRICARE for women’s health services. The key is to understand how your eligibility works and how each system’s services complement each other.
Coordinating between TRICARE and the VA can feel complicated at times, but both agencies are working to improve communication and integration. Case managers, Veteran Service Officers (VSOs), and TRICARE representatives can help navigate the process and ensure that services are utilized efficiently.
Tips for Baltimore Veterans Accessing Specialized Care
- Start with your Primary Care Manager. Referrals are often required, and your PCM will help initiate the process.
- Confirm that specialists are TRICARE-authorized. Not every provider is in-network, so check first to avoid unexpected costs.
- Use online tools. The TRICARE East Region portal and VA’s My HealtheVet system offer provider directories, appointment tools, and eligibility information.
- Don’t overlook VA services. Even if you primarily use TRICARE, VA facilities like the Baltimore VA Medical Center offer exceptional care that’s often more veteran-specific.
- Ask for a case manager. Especially if you have complex health needs, a case manager can coordinate your referrals, schedule appointments, and manage follow-up care.
A City That Cares for Its Veterans
Baltimore is home to thousands of veterans, and the city’s healthcare network reflects that. Between TRICARE-authorized providers and the robust services available through the VA Maryland Health Care System, local veterans have access to an array of specialized care options.
Whether you’re seeking chronic pain treatment, women’s health support, mental health counseling, or vision services, the resources are here. The key is knowing how to tap into them, working with the right providers, and staying proactive about your health.
If you’re a veteran in Baltimore and unsure where to begin, consider speaking to a TRICARE representative or visiting the Baltimore VA Medical Center. You served your country — now let your city serve you.