TRICARE in Colorado Springs: Evans Hospital & Peterson Clinic Guide
Getting your family's healthcare set up quickly after a PCS is one of the most urgent priorities — especially if anyone takes regular medications or has ongoing care needs. This guide covers TRICARE enrollment options, Evans Army Community Hospital, Peterson's medical clinic, and civilian TRICARE-authorized providers for Fort Carson and Peterson SFB families.
TRICARE Plan Options in Colorado Springs
| Plan | Best For | Cost | Referral Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRICARE Prime (MTF) | Families who want free care at Evans/Peterson | $0 for active duty families | Yes — PCM referral |
| TRICARE Prime (Network) | Families near civilian network providers | $0 for active duty families | Yes — PCM referral |
| TRICARE Select | Families wanting civilian provider flexibility | $0 premium; cost shares apply | No — self-refer |
| TRICARE Young Adult | Dependents age 21–26 | Monthly premium required | Depends on plan tier |
Evans Army Community Hospital (EACH)
Evans Army Community Hospital is the primary Military Treatment Facility (MTF) for Fort Carson and is one of the largest Army hospitals in the continental U.S. It provides full inpatient and outpatient medical services to active duty soldiers and their TRICARE-enrolled families.
Key Services at Evans
- Primary Care: Multiple Family Medicine and Internal Medicine clinics. Appointment line: (719) 526-7200
- Pediatrics: Full pediatric primary care and specialist services. Same building as EACH main (Building 1000).
- OB/GYN: Prenatal care, labor and delivery, and gynecologic services. Evans delivers hundreds of military babies annually.
- Behavioral Health: Mental health services including individual therapy, psychiatric medication management, and group therapy. (719) 526-7220. Also see Military OneSource for off-record counseling.
- Urgent Care: Walk-in urgent care clinic for non-emergency acute illnesses. No appointment needed during operating hours.
- Pharmacy: On-post pharmacy fills prescriptions at no cost for TRICARE Prime enrollees. Often faster turnaround than civilian mail-order.
- Dental (DENTAC): Active duty dental care is provided free at the Fort Carson DENTAC. Family members use TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) — a separate insurance plan.
- Optometry: Eye exams and glasses for active duty. Family members typically use TRICARE-authorized civilian optometrists.
How to Enroll at Evans
- Visit the TRICARE Service Center at Evans (Building 1000, ground floor) or call (719) 526-7200
- Bring your CAC/military ID, family members' IDs, and orders
- Select a Primary Care Manager (PCM) — you can choose a specific provider or accept a random assignment
- Your enrollment is typically active within 24–48 hours
- For specialty care, your PCM must issue a referral — then schedule with the referred specialist
If you need care before enrollment is complete, use the Evans Urgent Care clinic (walk-in) or call the TRICARE Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-874-2273 for guidance.
Peterson SFB Medical Clinic
Peterson SFB operates a smaller medical clinic (not a full hospital) primarily serving Space Force and Air Force personnel and families assigned to Peterson and Schriever. The clinic handles primary care, preventive medicine, and some specialty services, with complex cases referred to Evans Army Hospital or civilian network providers.
- TRICARE Service Center: Building 350, (719) 556-6765
- Appointment line: (719) 556-7321
- Pharmacy: On-site, free for enrolled Prime members
- Mental Health: Limited on-post; extensive civilian network referrals available
Civilian TRICARE-Authorized Providers
Colorado Springs has a large network of civilian providers who accept TRICARE Select and Prime referrals. If you're on TRICARE Select, you can self-refer to any authorized provider without going through an MTF. Key civilian networks:
- UCHealth: Multiple urgent care and primary care locations throughout Colorado Springs — major TRICARE network partner
- Centura Health (CommonSpirit): Penrose-St. Francis and other facilities — TRICARE network
- Children's Hospital Colorado: For pediatric specialty care — Colorado Springs has a satellite campus
Search for TRICARE-authorized providers at tricare.mil/FindDoctor.
Mental Health Resources
Colorado Springs has robust mental health resources for military families beyond what's available at the MTF:
- Military OneSource: 12 free non-medical counseling sessions per issue — completely off the military record. Call 1-800-342-9647 or visit militaryonesource.mil
- Military Crisis Line: 988, press 1 — 24/7 support for veterans and active duty
- Strong Star Consortium: Free PTSD treatment through research partnership in Colorado Springs
- Civilian TRICARE therapists: Dozens of private practice therapists in Colorado Springs accept TRICARE Select — no referral needed
For more spouse and family support resources, see our Spouse Resources guide. For your full PCS health setup checklist, visit the PCS guide.