FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Do you need to get care at a military hospital or clinic overseas? How you get care depends on whether you live overseas or if you’re just visiting. This article explains how to get care at an overseas military hospital or clinic in both situations.

“Knowing your beneficiary status and health plan before you travel or move overseas helps you get the care you need,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Gabrielle Crane, Chief of Patient Experience, Defense Health Agency. “You should know your options so you can make informed health care choices wherever you are.”

If you live or move overseas

1. Transfer your enrollment.

Do you have TRICARE Prime? You can transfer your enrollment to the TRICARE Overseas Program when you move. You have a few options for doing this:

Call the TRICARE overseas contractor, International SOS, when you arrive at your new duty location or new overseas residence, if retired.
Submit a TRICARE Prime Enrollment and PCM Change Form to International SOS or a TRICARE Service Center. The enrollment transfer is effective when International SOS receives the form.
Are you an active duty service member? You and your eligible family members can enroll when you in-process at your new duty location.

2. Choose your plan.

ADSMs: You’ll transfer your enrollment to TRICARE Prime Overseas or TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas.
Command-sponsored active duty family members: You may enroll in TRICARE Prime Overseas or TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas. Family members must be command-sponsored to use a TRICARE Prime option, as described in the TRICARE Overseas Program Handbook. If you have TRICARE Prime Overseas, you’ll get care from an primary care manager at a military hospital or clinic. You can also choose to enroll in TRICARE Select Overseas.
Other TRICARE-eligible active duty family members: You may enroll in TRICARE Select Overseas. You can only get care at a military hospital or clinic if there’s space available. You’ll see civilian providers for most care. Family members may also choose to purchase other health insurance.
Retirees and their family members: You must use TRICARE Select Overseas or TRICARE For Life. You can’t enroll in TRICARE Prime Overseas. You can only get care at military hospitals or clinics if space is available.

3. Get care.

Check your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Make sure that your contact information is current and that it displays your overseas address.
Find a nearby military hospital or clinic.

To book an appointment at a military hospital or clinic, follow the steps below. If you have:

TRICARE Prime Overseas: Call to make an appointment with your assigned PCM or use the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal.

TRICARE Select Overseas or TRICARE For Life: Call the military hospital or clinic to check for openings. You can only get care at a military hospital or clinic if there’s space available.

In some cases you’ll need urgent care or specialty care that your military hospital or clinic doesn’t provide. You’ll need a referral from your military hospital or clinic PCM. This applies to you if you’re enrolled in TRICARE Prime.

If you have:

TRICARE Prime Remote
TRICARE Select
TRICARE For Life

Contact the TRICARE Overseas Regional Call Center to find a provider. International SOS can help you find a TRICARE-authorized provider in your area.

If you have TRICARE Prime, you’ll get a notice from International SOS with the provider’s details once your referral processes. At this time, you can call International SOS if you need help booking an appointment or finding a different provider.

Costs

You usually don’t have out-of-pocket costs at military hospitals or clinics. If you need to see a civilian provider, follow the rules of your health plan. You may need to pay up front. File a claim with International SOS for reimbursement.

Prescriptions

You can use the military pharmacy to fill your prescriptions. You can also get a 90-day supply sent to your APO or FPO address through TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery. Home delivery isn’t available in:

Germany
Norway
Saudi Arabia

Can’t use either of these options? You’ll need to get your medication from a retail pharmacy and file a claim with International SOS for reimbursement.

If you travel overseas

Your TRICARE health plan stays active when you travel overseas. You’re only covered for urgent and emergency care. Only ADSMs can get covered routine care while traveling. Make sure to get routine care before you leave.

Military hospital or clinic access when traveling

ADSMs must try to get care at the nearest military hospital first. All others can only get care at a military hospital or clinic if there’s space available. Call International SOS for help finding a TRICARE-authorized civilian provider near you.

Emergency care

Go to the nearest emergency facility right away. If you’re admitted to a hospital, call International SOS or your PCM within 24 hours.

Learn more

To learn more about your overseas military hospital or clinic, search for your facility on Find a Military Hospital or Clinic. Then, check your facility’s website. It will include information about:

Services
Hours of operation
Appointments
Customer service

You may want to bookmark your military hospital or clinic's website for future reference.

For International SOS contact information by region, visit the TOP Regional Call Center.

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