TRICARE beneficiaries living in areas hit by Hurricane Dorian will not need a referral from their primary care provider to see another TRICARE-authorized provider until at least the end of the month.

The policy, known as a "blanket referral waiver," allows displaced beneficiaries easier access to medical care. The waivers will be in place for those in the Bahamas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through Sept. 30, and those in the following areas through Oct. 1:

• Florida: All counties
• Georgia: Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, and Wayne counties
• North Carolina: All counties
• South Carolina: All counties

The waiver also covers active duty servicemembers using urgent care.

Updates to Hurricane Dorian-related TRICARE policies will be announced on the official TRICARE website.

VA beneficiaries can call the Veteran Disaster Hotline at (800) 507-4571 for more information, and can visit VA's website for links to the status of their local VA facilities.

Those who are in the affected areas seeking nonmedical relief, or those interested in donating to military-specific relief efforts, can reach out to service relief agencies at the following links:

• Army Emergency Relief
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
• Air Force Aid Society
• Coast Guard Mutual Assistance