Help and support for caregivers

A caregiver is a family member, friend, or acquaintance who provides care and assistance for, or who manages medication for a TRICARE member. Adding someone as a “designated caregiver” to a TRICARE member’s account makes it easy to help them.

If you need to manage medications for someone who is a TRICARE member, then that person must create an account and give you access to their account by making you their “designated caregiver”.

As a caregiver, you can order prescriptions, check order status, set account preferences, and answer questions about orders like where to ship the member’s medication or how to pay.

How to add a caregiver to a TRICARE account

To add a caregiver, the TRICARE member can go to add a Caregiver under Account in the menu. Input the caregiver’s name, phone number, email address, and date of birth.

A TRICARE member can have up to eight designated caregivers on their account.

If you are a caregiver and hold a person's power of attorney (POA), your client still must designate you as a caregiver using the Add a Caregiver page.

Support for Caregivers

As a caregiver for a loved one, you may need help. Taking care of yourself and asking for support are important ways to maintain your health. Take care of your emotional wellness with these tips:

• Connect with Others. Caregiving can be an isolating experience. It’s important to connect with friends and family and ask for support.
• Practice relaxation. Manage your stress by practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises which involve taking slow, deep breaths throughout the day.
• Take care of your physical health. Take steps to boost your immune system by exercising, eating a balanced diet, and getting good sleep.
• Develop a care plan. This plan can include a summary of health conditions, medication treatment, and a list of healthcare providers and emergency contacts associated with the recipient of care.

We thank all Caregivers in the military community who dedicate their time to providing support to those in need. Visit the CDC website for additional caregiving resources.

Published November 23, 2021