Voluntary health maintenance organization–type option for TRICARE beneficiaries. TRICARE Prime works like a civilian health maintenance organization (HMO) to control costs. Beneficiaries are assigned a primary care manager (PCM) at a military treatment facility (MTF). (In some areas, PCMs are civilian network providers.) The PCM handles all routine health care. If the beneficiary needs care that the PCM does not offer, he or she will give the beneficiary a referral. Then the managed care support contractor (MCSC) finds the most appropriate provider and location for additional care. With TRICARE Prime, beneficiaries have expanded health care benefits in addition to the core benefits and freedom to choose civilian providers (at a higher cost) when they use the point-of-service (POS) option.