Do VA Medical Centers accept TRICARE Prime?
TRICARE Prime is similar to a civilian HMO insurance and there are some of the same restrictions. Active Duty (including spouses) can utilize all VA Medical Center’s (and some CBOC’s if not civilian contracted). Military Retirees (including spouses) you are restricted by Congress in the use of TRICARE Prime to a 50 mile radius surrounding a military base or a military base closure (BRAC). So with that in mind, the Syracuse and Albany VA’s are the only TRICARE Prime sites in the Upstate NY Area that you may use under this program. You can enroll by going to the medical centers with your current military ID card.