It’s late at night and your child has a fever or ache. Deciding what kind of care they need can be confusing.

As a TRICARE beneficiary, you have a resource that can help decide the best course of action. TRICARE’s Nurse Advice Line (NAL) is available at no cost to TRICARE beneficiaries in the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii. The NAL is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273) and choose option 1.

The NAL has a team of pediatric registered nurses (RNs) skilled in providing medical care for children of all ages in a variety of healthcare settings. More than half of the calls to the NAL are related to pediatric health concerns, which are routed to the NAL’s experienced RNs.

Once you are connected to a nurse, he or she will ask you a series of questions based on triage algorithms. The nurse will also answer your questions about high fevers, allergic reactions, rashes, and/or accidents, and advise you on the clinically appropriate level of care you should seek for your child.

Make sure that your child is present so you can assess his or her condition as the nurse asks questions. Depending on the circumstances and age of your child, the nurse may ask to speak to your child directly. Feel free to stay on another line or use a speakerphone option if that would make you more comfortable.

If self-care is recommended, the nurse may provide you with advice on home treatments and remedies. If your child does need an appointment, the NAL will try to schedule one for you at your local medical treatment facility, or will advise you to seek care within the network.