TREAT PTSD TRICARE Act
May 12, 2026
Introduced: May 12, 2026
May 12, 2026
Introduced: May 12, 2026
Summary
Requires the Department of Defense to cover a nerve block treatment for service members with PTSD if they choose to receive it.
What problem does this solve?
Some military members with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may not have access to newer, promising treatments through their health plan. This bill makes a specific therapy, called a stellate ganglion block, available to them.
What does this bill do?
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 2(a)(1)
Header:
Provision of stellate ganglion block for certain members
Mandates coverage for Stellate Ganglion Block
Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide stellate ganglion block treatment to any active or reserve service member with PTSD who is enrolled in TRICARE and chooses the therapy.
Updates clinical practice guidelines for PTSD
Directs the Secretary of Defense to update the VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD to include stellate ganglion block as a therapy option within 180 days.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 2(a)(1)
Header:
Provision of stellate ganglion block for certain members
Requires informed patient consent
Ensures that service members can only receive the treatment after a qualified health care provider informs them of the risks and benefits, and they choose to receive it.
Requires notification to Congress
Requires the Secretary of Defense to notify congressional defense committees once the clinical guidelines for PTSD have been updated to include the new treatment.
Who does this affect?
- Members of the Armed Forces with PTSD
- Military healthcare providers
What is the real world impact?
•
Expands treatment options for service members
Offers a new therapy called stellate ganglion block to military members with PTSD, giving them another choice for managing their condition.
•
Legislates a specific medical treatment
Mandates the availability of a specific medical procedure, which could bypass the usual scientific review processes that determine which treatments are covered by military health insurance. This could set a precedent for political influence over medical care.
When does this start?
This bill sets multiple deadlines that take effect 180 days after it becomes law.
Update of Clinical Guidelines
The Secretary of Defense must update the VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD within 180 days of the bill becoming law.
Treatment Availability
The stellate ganglion block treatment must be made available to eligible service members starting 180 days after the bill becomes law.