Tricare waives referral authorization requirements through May 18 Published May 9, 2013 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Tricare Management Activity is temporarily waiving the referral authorization requirement for any referrals obtained or care received by Tricare Prime enrollees from April 1 through May 18. The decision to waive the requirement is due to delays by UnitedHealthcare Military and Veterans in authorizing referrals for Tricare Prime enrollees. The waiver does not affect Tricare Standard beneficiaries, who do not need referrals for covered specialty care. Beneficiaries who get a referral from their primary care managers can still seek Tricare-covered services from a network specialist. Beneficiaries will receive letters from their military treatment facilities via the Colorado Springs Central Referral Center containing lists of local providers and a copy of their referral with instructions on where to send results. Beneficiaries who feel they need emergency care should call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Tricare Prime enrollees must contact their primary care manager within 24 hours or the business day following their emergency room visit. UnitedHealthcare became the Tricare health care support contractor for the Tricare West Region April 1. Tricare Management Activity officials are working closely with UnitedHealthcare to address issues, reduce backlogs and ensure beneficiaries get the quality health care and service they deserve. TMA leadership is closely monitoring UnitedHealthcare's efforts to improve their customer service. Tricare West Region beneficiaries can get more information and sign up for updates at www.tricare.mil/westtransition.