About the Military Health System

The Military Health System is one of America’s largest and most complex health care institutions, and the world’s preeminent military health care delivery operation. Our MHS saves lives on the battlefield, combats infectious disease around the world, and is responsible for providing health services through both Click to closeDirect CareDirect care refers to military hospitals and clinics, also known as “military treatment facilities” and “MTFs.”direct care and Click to closeprivate sector careNetwork and non-network TRICARE-authorized civilian health care professionals, pharmacies, and suppliers.private sector care to approximately 9.5 million beneficiaries, composed of uniformed service members, military retirees, and family members.

The MHS enables the National Defense Strategygoes to the Defense.gov website by providing a Medically Ready Force, a Ready Medical Force, and improving the health of all those entrusted to its care. We are more than combat medicine. The MHS is a complex system that weaves together...

• Health care delivery
• Medical education
• Public health
• Private sector partnerships
• Cutting edge medical research and development

Our Mission

The missions of the MHS are complex and interrelated:

• To ensure America’s active duty and reserve-component personnel are healthy so they can complete their national security missions.
• To ensure that all active and reserve medical personnel in uniform are trained and ready to provide medical care in support of operational forces around the world.
• To provide a medical benefit commensurate with the service and sacrifice of more than 9.5 million active duty personnel, military retirees and their families. 

 Commonly Requested Information