TRICARE defines who can be a PCM Published July 24, 2009 By Shari Lopatin TriWest Healthcare Alliance VANDENBERG AIF FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Most military families have a primary care manager, but not everyone knows who qualifies as one. TRICARE defines a primary care manager as: "A civilian network provider or military treatment facility provider who provides primary care services to TRICARE beneficiaries." Most families with TRICARE Prime or Prime Remote have a primary care provider. This is the person to run to for all non-emergency services. Either the beneficiary will choose or the military installation clinic will appoint a family its medical provider. A primary care manager may be a: - Certified nurse midwife - Family practitioner - General practitioner - Gynecologist - Internal medicine physician - Nurse practitioner - Obstetrician - Pediatrician - Physician assistant Actually, a primary care provider may be a certified medical professional who practices within the state's rules and regulations and has signed a contract to be a TRICARE PCM. However, the medical professional must be within the beneficiary's Prime Service Area. For more information, visit the TRICARE Provider Directory at www.triwest.com or call 888-TRIWEST (874-9378).