Is TriWest the Same as TRICARE?

Not exactly, and understanding the difference can help make sense of your benefits.

TriWest is an administrator, not an insurance plan itself. It manages two separate programs on behalf of the government:

VA Community Care Network (CCN)

TriWest administers Region 4 of the VA's community care program, connecting eligible veterans to providers like NuView when the VA can't meet certain wait time or distance standards.

TRICARE West Region

TriWest also administers TRICARE's West Region, the Department of Defense's health program for active-duty service members and their families, covering a 26-state footprint as of January 2025.

These are two distinct programs serving different populations: veterans through VA Community Care, and active-duty families through TRICARE, but TriWest coordinates both.

That means the referral process, eligibility rules, and costs can look different depending on which program applies to you.

Not sure which one applies to your situation? Call us at (323) 307-7997 to figure out your benefits.

Does VA Community Care Cover Behavioral Health?

Yes. Behavioral health treatment, including both mental health and substance use care, is a covered service under the VA Community Care Network (CCN).

This includes therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and structured levels of care like PHP and IOP, when approved as medically necessary.

Why Go Through TriWest Instead of the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Community care through TriWest isn't a workaround, but a formal Department of Veterans Affairs program built to expand access when the VA system itself can't meet the need.

You may be eligible for community care if any of the following apply:

The VA can't see you in time

Generally, this means more than 20 days for primary care, mental health care, or extended care, or more than 28 days for specialty care, measured from the date you request an appointment.

The drive is too far

If the nearest VA facility offering the care you need is more than a 30-minute average drive for primary or mental health care, or more than a 60-minute average drive for specialty care, you may qualify.

Specialized care isn't available nearby

If the VA doesn't offer the specific type of care you need at a facility close to you, community care can fill that gap.

It's in your best medical interest

If you and your VA provider agree that a community provider is the better fit for your situation, that alone can qualify you.

These are official VA eligibility standards, not exceptions or loopholes. If you meet any one of them, you have the right to choose a community provider like NuView instead of waiting.

How to Access Treatment Through TriWest

Getting to treatment at NuView through TriWest generally follows this path:

  1. 01

    Visit a VA provider

    Start with your existing VA primary care or mental health provider.

  2. 02

    Request a community care referral

    Let your provider know you're interested in receiving care through a community provider like NuView.

  3. 03

    The VA approves the referral to TriWest

    Once approved, your referral is routed to TriWest, the administrator responsible for connecting you to community providers.

  4. 04

    Choose NuView as your provider

    You can request NuView specifically as the provider for your community care referral.

  5. 05

    Begin treatment

    Once everything is confirmed, treatment can begin, coordinated between TriWest, the VA, and our admissions team.

You may be eligible for this pathway if the VA can't provide timely care, specialized care isn't available locally, travel creates a hardship, or community care is otherwise in your best medical interest.

Why Veterans Choose NuView?

Trauma and substance use don't always look the same from person to person, and treatment that doesn't account for your specific experience can fall short.

Our team brings experience working with veterans and understands how service, transition, and life after the military can shape someone's path, without assuming that's the whole story.

Whatever brought you here, you shouldn't have to over-explain your experience before someone understands what you're carrying.

Whether you're a recently separated veteran or years removed from service, our goal is care that meets you where you are, without judgment.

Coverage for Military Families

TriWest coverage isn't limited to veterans. Spouses and dependents enrolled in TRICARE West Region can also access treatment at NuView through their plan.

For Spouses

Spouses enrolled in TRICARE West Region can access behavioral health treatment at NuView. Referral and authorization requirements generally follow the sponsor's TRICARE plan type, but our team can confirm exactly what applies to your specific plan.

For Dependents

Dependent children are typically covered under TRICARE until age 21, or up to age 23 if they're full-time students, with no age limit for dependents with a qualifying permanent disability. 

Behavioral health coverage for dependents generally includes both inpatient and outpatient mental health care.

Referral and authorization requirements may look a little different for family members than they do for VA Community Care veterans.

What to Expect: Costs & Copays

For approved, VA-authorized care, there's typically no out-of-pocket cost collected at the time of service.

If a copayment applies for nonservice-connected conditions, it's billed later through the VA's normal billing process, not collected upfront by NuView.

What Our Team Verifies Before You Begin Treatment

Insurance and authorization details can be confusing to navigate on your own, especially with military benefits that involve multiple layers of approval. Before you begin treatment, our admissions team confirms:

Eligibility:whether you or your family member currently qualifies for VA Community Care or TRICARE West Region benefits
Region and network status:whether your coverage falls under TriWest's administered regions and whether NuView is an appropriate provider under your plan
Referral and authorization status:whether your referral has been approved, and whether prior authorization is required for your specific level of care
Covered levels of care:which NuView programs and services apply to your benefits
Costs:what, if anything, you can expect to pay, and when you are expected to pay that amount

You'll know exactly where you stand before committing to anything, with no cost and no obligation to verify.

Verify Your TriWest Benefits Today

Insurance verification is complimentary, confidential, and comes with no obligation.

Call us today at (323) 307-7997 to verify your insurance and take the first step toward recovery.

Speak with Admissions

Frequently Asked Questions TriWest Insurance

Yes, NuView is an in-network provider for eligible Veterans accessing care through the VA Community Care Network (CCN), administered by TriWest.

Yes. Through its network of community providers, TriWest supports addiction treatment services including residential/inpatient care, PHP, IOP, outpatient treatment, and medication-assisted treatment.

No. TriWest is a third-party administrator, but it manages the TRICARE West Region for active-duty members and their families, and separately administers the VA Community Care Network for eligible veterans.

Generally yes, for VA Community Care access. A VA provider needs to approve a community care referral before TriWest can connect you to a provider like NuView.

For VA Community Care, TriWest manages Region 4, covering much of the western U.S., including California. For TRICARE, TriWest now administers the West Region, a larger 26-state footprint as of January 2025.

Our admissions team can confirm your eligibility, referral status, and covered levels of care directly, at no cost and with no obligation.