Coast Guard Health Care

In support of its missions, the Coast Guard is tasked with providing health care to its active duty personnel and ensuring the availability of health care for their dependents. Coast Guard personnel have access to limited outpatient care at Coast Guard clinics. This personnel and their dependents may also obtain medical care and dental care from military facilities and civilian providers through TRICARE.

GAO reviewed relevant Coast Guard and TRICARE documents and analyzed access-to-care data for Coast Guard beneficiaries for 2018 through 2021 (most recent available). GAO also interviewed Coast Guard and Defense Health Agency (DHA) officials as well as officials from six Coast Guard clinics selected for variation in geographic location and number of medical staff.